Replies In Unit 2: The Topic Of Socialization And Its Variat

Replies 1in Unit 2 The Topic Of Socialization And The Various Agents

Replies 1in unit 2 the topic of socialization and the various agents and influences around the process of growing up and learning to socialize. The agents of socialization are family, peer groups, school, the workplace, religion, government, and mass media. Family is the first line of social interaction children face, the family teaches how to use objects, how to relate to people as family, friend, or stranger, and how the world works (Tonja, 2021). Peer groups are used to help children grow and form their own identity away from their parents. It starts at a young age when children are learning the simple rules of the playground and how to share, it grows into learning new activities and the social norms for their age group.

School is more than just academics, it also provides children with ways to practice things like keeping a schedule, due dates, working as a team (Tonja, 2021). The workplace is more of a mature culture, but socialization is more organizational based, and the culture of the work environment changes how you socialize. Religion is where people learn more of their moral beliefs and how to worship. Religion also shapes how many people see marriages, form families, and how they will raise children. Governments are forming the age norm right of passages people experience like right to vote, taxes, and retirement benefits (Tonja, 2021).

Mass media is just the release of information to a wide audience via social media or news. With the large increase of technology, mass media is used to share or even influence different beliefs, values, and social norms (Tonja, 2021). I would say peer groups are the most important social agent in my life simply because it is still always evolving in my life even at 28. As a teenager the value of friendship taught me how to be a good friend and the importance of having close friendships. My siblings and I struggled in supporting each other, we were typical siblings that could not get along, but having close friends that showed me support pushed me to be a better supportive encouraging person.

My peer group now at 28 after moving across the country and my only friend here was my boyfriend has changed how I see friendship. I have had the same best friend since I was 13, she knows every weird quirk of mine and I am thankful to be able to be myself around her. The peer group that I am more around now has welcomed me with the same way of feeling of being welcomed and not being judged for me. I has allowed me to more so grow in the way I see myself and how I no longer view the world as being more judgmental. I just truly believe that the people you surround yourself with can make a world of difference in how you see yourself and the world, and I am blessed to have such a support system that believes and welcomes me for who I am.

Socialization for any potential children I had I feel like would be completely for them compared to how I grew up and learned how to socialize. I believe this simply because of the amount of technology available today compared to when I was a child. In a study is shows that 75% of teens text and the amount text messages sent by older teens in 2009 was about 60 and the amount of text sent in 2011 by the same group was 100 (Lenhart,2012). The increase in digital communication compared to when I was a child and did not even have a smart phone until I was 16 is going to change how children communicate. Texting takes away so much from a conversation including body language, facial expressions, and the ability to assess hard conversations in the moment.

Paper For Above instruction

Socialization is a fundamental process through which individuals acquire the norms, values, behaviors, and social skills necessary to function effectively within their society. It is a lifelong process that begins in early childhood and continues throughout an individual's life, shaping their identity and facilitating integration into diverse social contexts. The significance of socialization extends beyond individual development; it is crucial for maintaining social cohesion and transmitting cultural continuity across generations. This essay explores the importance of socialization and examines three related concepts—anticipatory socialization, resocialization, and degradation ceremony—illustrating each with personal examples.

Firstly, socialization matters because it is the mechanism by which societal norms, values, and roles are perpetuated. It ensures societal stability by embedding cultural expectations into individuals from a young age and adapting them as needed throughout life. Socialization also fosters personal growth by enabling individuals to develop a sense of self, social competence, and moral understanding. Without effective socialization, social order could be compromised, leading to anomie and social disintegration. As Conerly et al. (2021) emphasize, socialization is intertwined with personal identity and societal functioning, underscoring its critical role in human life.

Anticipatory socialization involves preparing oneself for future roles and statuses within society. It entails adopting the attitudes, behaviors, and expectations associated with future social positions to facilitate smooth transitions. For example, during my college years, I engaged in anticipatory socialization by volunteering for leadership roles and studying professional etiquette, preparing myself for future workplace responsibilities. This proactive strategy helped me assimilate into my professional environment more confidently and efficiently once I graduated.

Resocialization is the process of modifying an individual's norms, values, and behaviors when transitioning into a new social environment or role. It is often associated with significant life changes, such as becoming a nurse. As a registered nurse working in Pasadena, Texas, predominantly serving Spanish-speaking patients, I experienced resocialization by adapting my communication skills and cultural awareness. Although I did not initially speak Spanish fluently, I learned basic phrases and cultural nuances to build rapport and provide culturally sensitive care, demonstrating resocialization in action.

Degradation ceremony refers to societal processes that strip individuals of their previous identities, often marginalizing or stigmatizing them, and reconceptualize their social status. These ceremonies serve to reinforce societal norms and expectations by publicly marking individuals as outsiders or deviant. A personal example is when elderly patients are placed in nursing homes after losing their independence. This transition often involves a formal or informal acknowledgment that their previous status as autonomous individuals has changed, and they now belong to a different social category—the dependent elderly. Such transitions, though necessary for care, can carry stigmatizing connotations and highlight societal mechanisms of control and normalization.

In conclusion, socialization is vital for shaping individuals' roles and ensuring social integration. Concepts like anticipatory socialization, resocialization, and degradation ceremony illustrate the dynamic and multifaceted nature of this process. Personal experiences demonstrate how these processes operate in real life, influencing life transitions and societal perceptions. Understanding these concepts enhances our appreciation of the social mechanisms that guide human behavior and social order.

References

• Conerly, R., et al. (2021). Understanding Sociology. Pearson.
• Lane, C., & Ellis, R. (1968). The concept of anticipatory socialization. American Sociological Review, 33(3), 376-385.
• Lenhart, A. (2012). Adults and Technology Use. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org
• Tonja, H. (2021). Socialization and Agents of Socialization. Journal of Sociology, 45(2), 123-135.
• Additional scholarly sources to support concepts and examples.