Socialization & its AgentsWhat Makes You, You?

What is Socialization?• The way ppl learn to think & act• Done through encounters with other people/groups

(social contact)• Allows new members to learn accepted ways of

behaving w/in a certain culture• Socialization• takes place through the interaction with others• can be intentional or unintentional

• Various types of social contact are called the agents of socialization

Meet the Agents of Socialization• Family• Peers• School• Media• Culture• What does each

agent teach us about acceptable behaviour?

• How do they teach us?

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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 go against 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.

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?