SOCIALIZATION

Socialization is the process of learning to be human by acquiring the meanings, ideas, and actions appropriate for that society.

§ The conclusion of many observers of isolated children is that being deprived of social interaction during one's formative years deprives individuals of their humanness. Their concepts of themselves, personality, love, freedom, justice, right and wrong, and reality are all products of social interaction. (Text: p. 115)

§ Language is the vehicle through which socialization occurs. "No individual is free to describe nature with absolute impartiality but is constrained to certain modes of interpretation even while he thinks himself most free." (Text: Whorf, p. 116).

Charles Cooley’s (1864-1929) “Looking Glass Self”: People judge themselves on how they think others judge them. “I am not what I think I am and I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.”

§ What would be a consequence, according to this view, of traffic stops in Florida, where 5 percent of the drivers on the road were African American or Latino, yet nearly 70 percent of those stopped and 80 percent of those searched were African American or Latino?

Society's Socialization Agents:

§ Family is the primary agent of socialization. The family indoctrinates the child in the ways of society. "There is no alternative to this giving of themselves; nor the receiver is there any option. Neither can withhold the message conveyed to the other." (Text: Wilson, p. 122)  For thought: Why do conflicts often require generations to resolve?

§ Schools provide a more uniform indoctrination of youth in the culturally prescribed ways. The formal system of education is conservative; it transmits the attitudes, values, and training necessary for the maintenance of society.  For thought: "In effective learning communities, teachers give the learner ownership of…the overall problem or task; supported and challenged the learner's thinking while encouraging the testing of ideas against alternative views; and provided learners with an opportunity and support for reflection on both the content learned and the learning process" (Fallows and Ahmet, 1999). Does this form of education "provide a uniform indoctrination of youth"?

§ The Media: "For many, an issue does not exist until it appears in the news media. Indeed, what we even define as an issue or event, what we see and hear, and what we do not see and hear are greatly determined by those who control the communications world." (Text: Parenti, p. 124)  For thought:  What values does the media propagate?

§ Religion: Do you feel organized religion in the United States reinforces U.S. values and the policies of the government? Is it true that the more one identifies with their religious views, the more likely that person will differ with other people?

§ Social Location: This includes wealth, occupation, education, ethnic and racial heritage, gender, family background, etc. Our varying positions have an effect on our attitudes, perceptions, and often the extent that we support the status quo.

§ Generation Cohort: Life experiences vary depending on when we are born.

§ Conflicts in Role Definitions: There are disagreements of what society expects. "Typical Americans shun sex before marriage and any sort of promiscuity. However, the only 'cool' role models are sex symbols. If society honestly thinks that America's youth is to blame, it is terribly mistaken." (Student journal)

Order theorists view the socialization process as necessary to promote stability and law-abiding citizens.

Conflict theorists view the socialization process as one in which people are led to accept the customs, laws, and values of society uncritically and therefore become willing participants in a society that may be in need of change.

Class Exercise:
Write two of your most strongly held beliefs and how they came about in your life?

Could a different socialization experience have made you believe differently?

How can we "undo" (or be less subject to) our socialization in order that we think, believe and act differently?