Introduction
The professor started with a reading of a short emotional story about a little girl of around seven years old whose name was Danielle. According to the investigators, the girl was found alone in an inhabited home that was pathetic, infested with cockroaches, smeared with feces and urine, old furniture, and ragged window curtains (“Socialization and Interaction” par 2). At first, I wondered how this story could be relevant to sociology; however, the professor continued with the story that Danielle was found lying down on an old mattress, and her health was malnourished. Although the little girl could see, hear and vocalize normally, she could not look anyone in the eyes, swallow solid food, and did not cry, or communicate with words or in simple gestures like nodding her head.
At this point, I could connect this story with our subject which is socialization. The newspaper later indicated that the girl had been neglected by her caregivers for a long time. She did not get regular interaction given to most young children like holding, hugging, demonstrations, and talking; therefore, she was unable to speak or walk. The professor ended the story by stating that the girl, from a sociological point of view, had not been socialized. The report provided a hint at socialization as a concept in sociology. While sociology is wide, this paper will reflect on my understanding of the concept of Socialization and the lessons I learned that prove that it matters in society.
Knowledge Learned in Sociology
The lecture majored on socialization as mentioned earlier, which we defined as the process of learning norms and behaviors acceptable in a specific society. I understood that sociologists acknowledge two stages of the socialization process, namely primary and secondary stages (“Socialization” sld. 18). Primary socialization, transpires from birth to adolescence in human development. The groups that influence the primary socialization process included teachers, religious leaders, parents, trainers, and peer groups. Secondary socialization, occurs throughout the lives of individuals as they experience environments that were not part of their primary socialization (“Socialization” sld. 18). I understand that here in the institution, we experience secondary socialization since we are different groups from diverse regions. We can learn new values and behavior through interaction. After college, we will continue experiencing secondary socialization at workplaces, meeting different people, and being assigned different roles.
We further explored the agents that influence socialization in society. One of the agents of socialization is the family, where parents, siblings, and extended family members train children on what is expected of them. For example, they show them how to use objects like toilets, clothes, and eating utensils, and how they can relate with others like friends, neighbors, strangers, etc. Another agent of socialization, that we learned is peer group, which comprises individuals of the same age group, social status, and common interests (“Socialization” sld. 18). Socialization, in this case, starts at an early age, such as when playing, children teach each other the game rules and taking turns. As children approach adolescence through peer influence, they develop independence and an identity distinct from their parents (Kowtha 101). The peer group creates opportunities for socialization as children engage in activities different from what they engage in with their parents.
Moreover, the school is an institutional agent of socialization in society. Children worldwide spend more than 200 days a year in school, making it an important agent of socialization (Kowtha 98). Schools introduce children to behaviors like using textbooks, teamwork, and following schedules. The teachers are role models, often strengthening what society expects of the children. Schools play an important role in Socialization as children learn about their nationalism and citizenship. The government is yet another agent of Socialization in society that we explored. For instance, the rites of passage people go through result from the government’s established norms. One becomes an adult when one attains 18 years of age, and becomes independent, while at 65 years old, one reaches old age (Kowtha 96). The government, through the constitution, socializes citizens to the laws of the land.
Religion, an agent of socialization, guides individuals to different faith where they meet in churches, synagogues, temples, and mosques to worship and learn. Religion is widely known to socialize morals among the individuals of society. Some occasions like marriages and birth are connected to religious celebrations for some people (“Socialization and Interaction” par 8). The mass media is the last but not the least agent of Socialization that we covered. It disseminates essential information to a varied audience through radio, television, newspaper, and the internet. The media impacts Socialization significantly as many people spend significant time on television screens and listening to the radio (Kowtha 91). The media informs people about what is important, and true, and what is expected of them.
Important Lessons Gained
From this concept of socialization as an important topic in sociology, I understood that socialization matters significantly in our societies. For example, during this process, an individual learns to become a member of a particular group or organization. They familiarize themselves with the culture of the group, which as well results in the group sustaining itself. I learned that for a society to function smoothly, socialization is inevitable. Socialization creates a situation where the norms and customs of a particular group are transmitted across the members (Kowtha 102). In this process, individuals gain knowledge of what is expected of them to fit in the group or situation. Socialization plays an important role in children as it teaches them to control their biological compulsions like going to the toilets instead of wetting their clothes. For adults, socialization ensures they align with certain social norms and prepares them for various roles.
Additionally, I was able to ascertain that socialization ensures culture’s continuity and plays a key role in individual development. Research states that both nature and nurture affect who one is. Nature is the inherent and hormonal makeup, while nurture refers to the social environment in which one grows (“Socialization” sld. 7). The individual personality is, therefore, the product of the socialization of society’s norms and behavior. Lastly, I learned that individuals familiarize themselves with what is expected of them in society through interactions.
Conclusion
From the reflection on what I learned in sociology, it is important to note that socialization is a crucial process in any given culture. Before covering this topic, I thought that socialization was simply interaction, but after studying the subject, I realized socialization is more than just socializing. It involves familiarizing with the behaviors and norms that are expected in a certain culture, and it is a continuous process. I have noted that a sociology course may not be complete without exploring socialization. Every culture relies on a constant process of Socialization to survive. Sociology acknowledges several socialization agents, including family, school, religion, mass media, peer groups, and government. I learned that interaction with these agents influences the socialization process. Socialization helps ensure that societal and cultural values are upheld. From the knowledge I have gained through covering this topic, I can see that sociology is equally important just as it is in health, education, and any other field. Through this topic, I have an in-depth understanding of the processes that make society function smoothly.
Works Cited
Kowtha, Narasimha Rao. “Organizational Socialization of Newcomers: The Role of Professional Socialization”. International Journal of Training and Development, vol 22, no. 2, 2018, pp. 87-106. Wiley.
“Socialization.”. 2022. Lecture, United States.
“Socialization and Interaction.”. 2022. Lecture. Web.