Agencies of Socialization
The society being the agency for socialization, with each person with whom one comes into contact and interacts in some way acting as agencies of socialization. Thought socialization is found in all interactions, but the most influential interaction occurs in particular groups, which are referred to as agencies of socialization.
The following helps us to understand the influences of the agents of socialization on an individual:
1. Family: The most important agent of socialization, the family, helps mould an individual. The family values, beliefs, religious inclinations and political views shape an individual’s outlook towards society. Parents are the biggest influence on the social development of children.
2. School: After family, schools are probably the most important influence on an individual. Schools help pass on knowledge, create awareness and inculcate feelings of tolerance in individuals. The second step to socialization is schools, where a child meets different children and learns to make out right and wrong in society.
3. Peers Group: Meeting like-minded people, making friends and hanging out together may seem like a teenager’s life. But in fact, each and every individual in society loves to have social contact. Peers greatly impact an individual’s thoughts and line of thinking. Individuals learn to behave in a manner that they think will be acceptable to their peers. Peer acceptance is an important part of socialization.
4. Media: In today’s world, mass media is one of the important agents of socialization. People are influenced by the social norms portrayed by the mass media. Political, religious and social views are enforced a hard way through the repeated exposure and arguments put forth by the agents of mass media.
5. Religion: Religion plays a very important role in socialization. Religion instills the fear of hell in the individual, so he should refrain from bad and undesirable activities. Religion not only makes people religious but socializes them into the secular order.
Thus, the process of socialization is continuous and never ending. It goes on from one stage of development to the other and the process continues. In this whole process, it is family which continues with him.
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