American society is filled with many socialization agents which determine the behavior of a particular individual. Socialization is an important process in life as it determines how people learn about the social expectations in divergent cultures as well as how individuals interact with each other (Grusec and Davidov 167). Socialization enables people to develop the behavior considered to be the human nature, fitting in a particular culture and society in addition to developing the basic functions such as walking, talking, and eating among other activities. Functioning successfully in the social world and learning to use the material culture of the society is vital for any person. As such, socialization begins at a young age and continues throughout an individual’s life.
Agents of Socialization
Socialization experiences are important for the development of an individual since we all live in societies characterized by different cultures. My two most influential agents of socialization are family and education. As the first agent of socialization for any individual, a family shows children how to use objects such as clothes and utensils, how to relate with others as well as how the world operates (Lenka and Vandana 871). My family molded me by enhancing the interaction with my mother, father, and the extended family. Education, on the other hand, has been a very important agent of socialization in my life as it has exposed me to many values, majorly politics religion and social knowledge. Most of my values have been influenced and are based upon the education I have garnered in school since I was young. In addition, family and education have taught me how to react to different situations in life as well as how to behave in a society where having contact with people is a daily experience.
Agents of Socialization as Demonstrated in the Videos
Agents of socialization may contribute to an institutionalized system of unequal socialization experiences mainly because the society has expectations in terms of conformity (Grusec and Davidov 169). For instance, commercialization in schools creates socialization experiences that force young children as well as students to conform to certain standards as a result of the advertisements. Additionally, when classrooms are invaded by advertising, students learn of different objects that are presented as characterizing the lifestyle of an ideal American child (ChallengingMedia, 2006). As such, children adopt different behaviors depending on the reinforcement received from the family and education. Moreover, sexual stereotypes and the media teach people about their consumer identities as well as the roles of a particular gender, resulting in the formation of social classes (Marie, 2009). When growing up, children are exposed to factors such as display of gender roles, expectations of what to wear, drink, eat and even how to interact. As such, the different environments and factors result in an institutionalized system of unequal socialization experiences.
My father and mother played a significant role in shaping my life
Many factors in the society determine how families raise their children including cultures, gender, race as well as social classes (Lenka and Vandana 879). Nevertheless, at a young age, my mother occupied most of my life, therefore, shaping my socialization experiences. As a nurturing parent, she taught me how to talk, walk, and interact with other people and she, therefore, transmitted her values to me through the development of my childhood. My father, on the other hand, played a significant role in shaping my life because he taught me how to form good relationships with people. His determination to have a perfect home in the society taught me how to reason through beliefs, a stance from which I learned to embrace the values that deem one acceptable in our culture and community.
Cultural Theory of Socialization
Cultural socialization theory is an important phenomenon in my life as it addresses the practices enhanced by the parents in teaching children about their cultures and social issues such as racial history as well as heritage (Grusec and Davidov 172). Learning how to relate well with people from all races was instilled in me by my parents while I was a kid, an aspect that helped me to develop a social life where I can interact with all people irrespective of their color. For instance, I was once elected a leader of a team of seven members from different races and cultures. As a leader, I had to ensure a combined action of the group in an effective and efficient manner which meant keeping aside all the differences that are brought by diverse cultures and races, instilling inclusion. The experience taught me to embrace egalitarianism as a way to promote equality in life, especially in the American culture.
Social Class System in America
Agents of socialization in the society contribute to the social class system in America; social stratification has majorly been witnessed in campuses, practices that get translated into the society. For instance, some parents who did not go to school lay humongous emphasis on their children having higher education, a scenario which enhances their motivation to face life differently (Putten 18). Additionally, factors such as parenting and race define socialization experiences. Social classes are important as they describe the differences that individuals have in the society. Similar to gender and race, social classes are important as they accord different experiences to all people, enhancing diversity that attract specialized functions in a society.
Conclusion
Socialization is vital for the growth of children as well as the structuring of the life of an individual. Socialization agents such as the family, mass media, education as well as peers play a significant role in a person’s life as they teach people how to relate and interact in the society. Different factors affect how the agents of socialization influence an individual’s life which also contributes to the formation of social classes in the United States. As such, socialization teaches people to function in a successful manner in the world as social platform. Additionally, socialization determines the kinds of behaviors embraced by an individual depending on how they were taught since childhood.
References
Marie, Annie. (2009 Feb 11) Sexual Stereotypes and the Media. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z6ks8Z0X20
ChallengingMedia. (2006 Oct 4). Captive Audience: Advertising Invades the Classroom. Retrieved From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INJqXB_qFbo
Grusec, Joan E., and Maayan Davidov. "Analyzing socialization from a domain-specific perspective." Handbook of socialization: Theory and research (2015): 158-181.
Lenka, Usha, and Vandana. "A review on impact of socialization agents in breeding consumerism among children." Global Business Review 16.5 (2015): 867-878.
Putten, Jim Vander. "Bringing: Social Class: To the Diversity Challenge." About campus 6.5 (2001): 14-19.
