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The Socialization of Children

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SOCIALIZATIONWhat does “Socialization” Mean?

The process of learning one’s culture – the roles, rules and

behaviors that help one to live in meaningfully within it

Diverse nature of America results in a variety of cultural

influences

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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• Family • School• Peer group• Media

Family

School

Peer Group

Media

FOUR SOCIALIZING AGENTS

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THE FAMILY

All families belong to “subcultures” and networks that reflect:

•Social class•Ethnic group •Kinship

All of these influence the way children are socialized.

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• Families organize around…

•Occupation or interests• “Meaning” circles: religion, spiritual social justice• Focus: school / work / survival• Status

THE FAMILY (CONT.)

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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THE FAMILY (CONT.)Bias is everywhere, it hurts everyone, even

those who perpetuate it. The first step is to become aware of privilege as an aspect of bias

•Privilege: invisible / unearned assets•Classism: may be hard to see•Racism: individual / institutionalized

Do you see yourself as privileged because of your race and/or ethnicity?

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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SCHOOLS AS SOCIALIZING AGENTS

• Continuity from preschool to kindergarten (or lack thereof)

• Classroom behavioral expectations

• Capacity to respond to diversity• Inequity in schools

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2-8

PREPARATION FOR SCHOOL• Children enter school with a wide range of

skills, background knowledge and life experiences

•Schools aim to socializechildren

•Goals for children different according tohow they are “identified” or “tracked”

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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• Feel good about themselves

• Gain knowledge from their mistakes

• Can communicate

• Can weigh alternatives and make sound choices

• Can concentrate and focus

• What other qualities can you add?

CHILDREN WHO ARE READY…

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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PEER GROUP AS SOCIALIZING AGENT

• Pairs threesomes small groups• Choices are affected by gender and

proximity• “Group mind” – behavior contagion• Informal learning from peers• Imagination increases with pretend

play

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

2-11

MEDIA AS A SOCIALIZING AGENT

• Advertising• Print media • Radio• Computers / video games• Movies• Television

TELEVISION AND YOUNG CHILDREN

• Do not expose infants to television

• Examine your own television habits

• Reduce risk of addiction by avoiding exposure altogether

• Watch with children• Do not let TV viewing

take place of active play

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING

• Developmental researchers agree that exposure to media influences children.

• Commercial interests often disagree with this research.

• In 1999, $12 billion was spent on advertising aimed at children.

Do you see a disconnect?

Gonzalez-Mena, Child, Family, and Community: Family-Centered Early Care and Education, 6e. © 2013, 2009, 2006, 2002, 1998 by Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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• Average child has seen 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence during childhood

• Eight of ten programs contain violence

• Prime-time programs average five violent act an hour

• Saturday morning cartoons average 20 acts per hour

VIOLENCE FACTS

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EFFECTS OF VIOLENT PROGRAMS

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LONG TERM LEGACY

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RESOURCES ABOUT MEDIA

• Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC)

• Effects of TV on Children• American Psychologist Associatio

n Website about Violence and Media

• TV and Children