Socialization & its Agents

1. Socialization & its Agents What Makes You, You?

2. What is Socialization? • The way ppl learn to think & act • Done through encounterswith otherpeople/groups (social contact) • Allows new members to learnacceptedways of behaving w/in a certain culture • Socialization • takes place through the interaction with others • can be intentional or unintentional • Various types of socialcontact are called the agents of socialization

3. Meet the Agents of Socialization • Family • Peers • School • Media • Culture • What does each agent teach us about acceptable behaviour? • How do they teach us?

4. Meet the Agents of Socialization • Family (most important – moulds values, beliefs, religious/political views etc) • School (2nd most important b/c teaches important knowledge from society including acceptable behaviours – forces children to engage socially) • Peers (social contact is a major influence b/c behaviour patterns are shaped by what peers feel are acceptable) • Media (portrays norms and reinforces views by repeated exposure) • Culture (passes religious, nationalistic traditions, allows to meet other members of society)

5. Primary Agents of Socialization • Include the agents that are closest to an individual; family and friends • Most important b/c they play a critical role in shaping the life & behaviour of an individual within society at a child’s earliest age

6. Secondary Agents of Socialization • Secondary agents are those institutions or places that help an individual find their place within society • Examples: school, work, religion • These agents help an individual improve their social skills & integrate them into society

7. Social Classes • There are also social classes • These agents of socialization divide individuals into categories within society • For instance, socioeconomic classes include lower class, working middle class, as well as the working elite (wealthy)

8. Effects of the Agents Over Time • Agents of socialization affect an individual & an entire population • Life Cycle Effect: causes an individual or group to alter their beliefs/behaviour • Example: Political revolution (military coup, etc) • Period Effect: affects entire society and usually occurs due to disease, depressions, or wars • Cohort Effect: a social event that creates a major impact on a specific group of people (e.g. Atomic Bomb)

9. Agents of Socialization: Parents • The 1st 5yrs of life & throughout childhood, parent/guardian(s) are the primary agent(s) of socialization • Most parents take the responsibility of raising children seriously & attempt to make real efforts to help their children learn appropriate behaviour • Hwr, some parents have their own agenda

10. Agents of Socialization: Parents • Parents w/ an agenda are so rigorous & specific about how children should grow and develop that they leave very little room for the child to develop their own ideas or beliefs • These parents typically have ideas that goagainst the norms of society and pass their ideas on to their children • Some people refer to this as exploitation or abuse • We are about to watch and record notes on Richard Sandrak aka, “The World’s Strongest Boy” • Write notes about what the parents are teaching the child about himself and the world.

11. Discussion • What did Richard Sandrak’s parents teach him about himself? • What did his parents teach him was important in the world? • Is this a form of exploitation and/or abuse? • What other celebrity examples can you think of that are similar to this case?