Socialization is a form of interaction by which people acquire personality and learn the way of life of their
society. It is considered the essential link between the individual and society. In fact, socialization allows the
individual to learn the norms, values, languages, skills, beliefs, and other patterns of thought and action that are
essential for social living. (Robertson, 1987:115)
Socialization is a process that introduces people to social norms and customs. This process helps individuals
function well in society, and, in turn, helps society run smoothly. Family members, teachers, religious leaders,
and peers all play roles in a person's socialization.
Socialization concerns both social structure and interpersonal relations. It contains three key parts: context,
content and process, and results. Context refers to the culture, language, social structures and one’s position
within that particular society. It also includes history and the roles people and institutions around them
performed in the past. One's life context will significantly affect the socialization process. For example, a
family's economic class may have a huge impact on how parents associate or deal with their children.
Research has found that parents emphasize the values and conducts most likely to help children succeed given
their condition in life. Parents who expect their children to work blue-collar jobs are more likely to emphasize
correspondence and high regards for authority, while those who expect their children to pursue artistic,
managerial, or entrepreneurial professions are more likely highlights creativity and competence.
Gender stereotypes also bear strong influence on socialization processes. Cultural expectations for gender
roles and gendered behavior are conveyed to children through color-coded clothes and sorts of game. Girls
usually receive toys such as dolls or dollhouses that stresses physical appearance and domesticity while boys
receive playthings such as legos, toy soldiers, or race cars that involve thinking skills or manly type of sports.
Additionally, research has shown that girls with brothers are associated to understand that household labor is
expected of them but not of their male siblings. Girls tend to be engaged in doing chores without receiving a
pay while their brothers do.
Race also plays a factor in socialization. Since white people bear a disproportionate experience of police
violence, they can encourage their children to defend and know their rights when the authorities try to violate
them. In contrast, parents of color must instruct their children to remain calm, compliant and secure in the
presence of law enforcement.
While context sets the stage for socialization, the content and process comprise the work of this undertaking.
How parents assign chores or tell their children to interact with police are examples of content and process,
which are also defined by the span of socialization, the methods used, the people involved, and the type of
experience. School plays an important role in socialization of students of all ages. In class, young people receive
instructions related to their conduct, tasks, authority, schedules and deadlines. Teaching this content requires
social interaction between educators and students. Typically, the policies and expectations are both written and
spoken shall be reiterated thoroughly. In this manner, the student conduct is either rewarded or punished. As this
occurs, students learn standards of proper behavior suitable for school.
Results are the outcome of socialization and refer to the way a person conceives and conducts after undergoing
this process. For example, with small children, socialization exhibits focus on control of biological and
emotional impulses, such as drinking eating with bare hands rather than eating with spoon and fork or asking
permission before picking something up.
As children mature, the results of socialization include knowing how to obey rules, wait for their turn or
organize their schedule to be productive. We can see the results of socialization in everything, from men hitting
the gym to achieve appealing biceps to women wearing make ups to look more attractive.
Activity 1.
1. Can learning take place in a society without the process of socialization?
2. Complete the graphic organizer by providing words or phrases that you have learned from the following people
or social institutions. Note: It can be values/traditions/norms, et.
Family/Relatives
Me
Me
Me Me
