Socialization PDF

SOCIALIZATION Introduction Socialization is the lifelong process of learning cultural norms, attitudes, values, beliefs, practices, skills and other traits that distinguish members of a group from others (Henslin 2007). This is essential for individuals to function appropriately in groups....

SOCIALIZATION Introduction Socialization is the lifelong process of learning cultural norms, attitudes, values, beliefs, practices, skills and other traits that distinguish members of a group from others (Henslin 2007). This is essential for individuals to function appropriately in groups. Socialization supposes that norms and values exist and that orientating people in these would minimize deviant behaviour including crime. Without socialization, society would be characterized by chaos of significant magnitude because it would translate to every behaviour being right or wrong depending on who is defining the behaviour.  Communicating norms and values may take place in several forms including verbal expression of what is expected and how things should be done, imitation of role models, reading about a group, role plays and sometimes by chance. Agents of Socialization Family– is conceived as the first agent of socialization considering that the individual makes his/her initial contact with this agent through parents. From infancy to childhood, adolescence and adulthood, the family plays a central role in ensuring that family members are orientated as prescribed by culture. We need to note that family does not comprise only parents but includes siblings and in some instances the extended kin group. Therefore, more-experienced members of the family should assume the responsibility of undertaking socialization. More- experienced is underscored here to suggest that orientation of family members must not necessarily be done by older members; there could be situations where a younger family member, due to some privileges including travels, education among others may have more experience.  School: Experience shows that individuals beyond their families have contacts with the schools they attend beginning from primary level. This agent has become important in view of engagement of more Nigerian parents in paid jobs; most bankers in Lagos State hardly interact with their wards except on weekends which themselves are characterized by meetings and ceremonies. As a result, more contacts are made with the teachers, counsellors and school administrators than with parents. Although the school is meant to transmit curriculum based knowledge, in reality acting as locus parentis the agent socializes students in other everyday life issues.  Peer Group: Peers are one’s mate and are found everywhere, school, workplace, Mosque, Church, Playground and countless other places. Where the family and school are absent, peers assume the responsibility of socialization and most times transmit the negative values. For this reason, families and schools are expected to undertake this responsibility with strength so as to create little or no space for peers to operate. This does not in any way suggest that peer groups are not necessary in socialization but that the influence of the family in particular should be quite strong to the extent that negative peer information will be suppressed by family members; and instead of being changed by peers they rather become changers of their friends in appropriate values.  Religious Groups: Most Nigerians are Christians, Muslims or Traditional Worshippers. Ordinarily, Christian and Muslim doctrines are based on the teachings of the bible and Quran respectively and religious leaders socialize adherents on what is expected of them in living good religious lives. In reality, these agents interact to produce a complete personality. Stages of Socialization Primary Socialization: This stage begins with the birth of a child and ends at the scene of the mature personality. At this stage, the child learns the fundamental laws of life and of the society. At this time, parents, friends, teachers, peers, and acquaintances take an active part in shaping the personality. Family is an essential part of this stage Anticipatory Socialization: This stage occurs between the childhood and adulthood. Adolescence begins to establish independence from their parents. At this stage adolescents not only learn their immediate group culture but also learn the culture of a group which they are expecting to join in future. For example, Individuals at this stage learn the skills required for them to undertake their desired jobs in future.  Professional or Developmental Socialization: This type of socialization occurs during adulthood. Professional socialization is dependent on primary and anticipatory socialization, during which individuals set goals which they want to achieve in future. Individuals must also have acquired the skills to achieve these goals during the first two stages of socialization. At this stage, adults are confronted with new situations such as learning the roles of their new jobs, and adapting to marital responsibilities Re-socialization This is a situation where an individual changes his group and become a part of a new group. Such an individual have to abandon his way of life such as old values, norms and beliefs. The individual learn the new values, norms and beliefs of a new group. This process is called re-socialization. For example, a Muslim who had just converted to Christianity will undergo resocialization by learning the virtues, values and norms of Christianity Importance of Socialization Through it, cultures are sustained by its transmission from one generation to another It promotes social order given its emphasis on predictability of behaviour Socialization prepares people to undertake or perform certain roles. For instance, men and women have different roles which they learn to undertake through the process of socialization Through it, individuals adjust to changes that take place in society