What is Socialization...?

What is Socialization

Have you ever wondered how did we obtain the ability to 

communicate with other people and how did we learn to 

differentiate between good or bad —- ethical or unethical —-moral

or immoral — 

virtuous or vicious conducts?

Or how do we acquire the skills to participate in other social 

activities?

In sociology the concept of learning social knowledge during the 

course of life is called socialization.

Socializing  and Socialization

However, there is difference between socialization and socializing.

Socializing refers to social interaction (social encounters with 

friends, teachers, colleagues, siblings, 

parents etc.…) it is the part of socialization process.

Whereas, socialization refers to the lifelong process of learning 

social skills, it initiate since birth and 

continues until death.

We learn new thing in different stages of our lives via socializing 

with different people within distinct social groups.

Nature and Nurture 
The famous debate of nature and nurture has been going on since classic Greek period. Plato believed that, formation of man personality depend on biological characteristics or genetics. Whereas, according to Aristotle, man personality is the product of social environment. However, in sociology we focus on the nurture part. Lee argued that, our personality is the product of habit formation. Habits refer to the repeated actions or conducts of individuals. The process of socialization also aid in development of people personalities in a given society

AGENT OF SOCIALIZATION
Socialization is the processes of learning social norms, values  in order to become proficient members of society. We learn each and every social conduct such as, how to walk, talk, feed ourselves etc…
During the course of our lives we socialize with different people in distinct social groups such as, Family, schools, mass media, peers and religion. 
These social groups are considered to be the essential agents of socialization through which we obtain the ability to learn social skills and knowledge.

Family
Family is the most important and fundamental source of socialization. 
A newborn survival completely depend on family members especially, on parents — step parents or guardians. 
While attending to the physical needs of newborn mother frequently interact with baby. 
Changing diapers and feeding a baby creates opportunity of talking, smiling, hugging and cuddling. 

Cont….

The warmth and nurture which a baby receive from such interactions is essential for the development of baby cognitive and motor abilities. 

Our parents teach us how to take care of ourselves and function within a society, their teaching is not only limited to basic social skills such as, how to walk, talk, tie shoes — hold crayon or spoon etc.

however, they also instill societal or religious norms, values and beliefs in us that we may hold our entire lives for instance, socialization in Muslims and catholic families.

Cont….

Child learns most of the basic skills indirectly via social interaction. However, as the child grow older parents use direct approach to teach conformity and obedience in order to prepare him/her for the life outside the institution of family. 

Though, the means of direct teaching approach differ from family to family for instance, some parents might spank or scold a child for misconduct to teach him or her socially acceptable ways to behave whereas, others may teach normative behavior in an affectionate manner through hugs and praise.

Cont…

Family is considered as the most important source of socialization because self-concept is developed in childhood which is the foundation on which an individual personality rest upon. 

Our personalities are not completely formed in childhood but, it influence the later stages of personality development for instance, if a father beats his son in childhood he might have anger issues or some other issues in adulthood.

Schools

School serve as a central agent of socialization all over the world — for those individuals who have means to attend or can attend school. 

School is the first source of socialization for a child outside the institution of family, which infuse technical skills and abilities that are necessary to function within given society. 

The knowledge which a child acquire in school aid to improve his or her financial positions in adulthood.