Influence of Agents of Socialization on Secondary Socialization



Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Socialization1

Secondary Socialization2

Agents of Secondary Socialization3

Family3

School......................................................................................................................................4

Peer Groups4

Analysis5

Family5

School5

Peer Groups6

Blind Spot Analysis7

References9

Influence of Agents of Socialization on Secondary Socialization

Introduction

Sociology Journal (2003) quoting the work of Steckley, John and Clark, Arthur (2007), explains socialization as a ' learning process' that develops or bring changes in the personality or 'self' of an individual. However, this description is quite limiting in the manner that it truly does not express the nature and scope of socialization, thus socialization can be aptly termed as the process of learning the way of life of a society. This paper aims to discuss the concepts of socialization by stating the differences between the popular types of socialization and their importance in our lives. The focus of discussion centres on secondary socialization with greater emphasis based upon personal insights in relation with how the different secondary socialization agents such as family, education and peer groups have enriched my personal socialization experience. Furthermore, the discussion will also highlight contrasting views of my personal experiences with academic views highlighting differences between my personal socialization experiences with reality.

Discussion

Socialization

As already mentioned above that, socialization is the 'way of life', moreover, this socialization process necessitates mutual learning of both adults and children or the young members of society. These young children are at their most impressionable self in the early years of their life. Thus, their personalities can be easily moulded to acquire the appropriate and acceptable behaviours of their society's culture. Conversely, a credible online glossary, the Psychology Alley (1998) has defined socialization as the process of learning the norms, rules, roles, and culture of a society by its members. These norms mentioned are the appropriate and acceptable behaviour approved by the society, whereas culture is the way of life or living patterns of a society. While, rules are conforming to the positive and negative aspects of acceptable behaviour, such as the breaking of any law is the violation of the permissible conduct. Similarly, roles are the expected behaviour from an individual such as the role of a father is to provide for the keep of his family by being the breadwinner while a mother is responsible for the nurturing of a child. Individuals who do not conform to these roles, rules and norms are labelled as deviant members of the society.

Secondary Socialization

Amongst many, the two most popular types of socialization are the primary and secondary socialization. Primary socialization takes place in the early years of an individual where they learn the acceptable values and principles of good and bad behaviour, language and other primary skills by their parents or guardians; thus, this is the first stage of the socialization process learned by the new members of a society in their initial years.

Secondary socialization takes place in the older stage of childhood that is, five years or above, when the young members of the society or children, attain school going age. Exposed to an unfamiliar environment at school, these members are no more in direct ...