The Source of Socialization Skills for Children - Essay Example

I. Introduction A. Topic and opinion pick one side of the debate - for example – Parents should be held accountable for their children’s socialization but only to a point (or do you feel this is forever?). B. Reason why you chose this topic why have you chosen this topic – are you in law enforcement, are you a counselor, have you been a victim, or do you know someone, have you been a prisoner or do you know someone who has been? - for example – I have been a teacher for over 30 years and during that time I have witnessed those parents who have been very involved in their child’s lives, meaning given them love, shelter, attention, and most importantly a strong moral and foundation as well as those who barely supply their children with enough food to survive. II. First claim A. Statement must be related to the topic – for example – Parents are the initial source of socialization skills for their children. B. Support for the statement either personal experience of researched material that supports your statement – for example – For the first several weeks of a child’s lives, a child is totally dependent on its caregiver for food, clothing, and shelter. Once a child reaches 6 weeks of age, the child may be sent to a daycare facility where others may begin attending to these biological needs as well. However, studies have shown that more than biological needs must be met during this crucial developmental period. Partridge, Devine, Hornstein, and Marsh (2001) stated that, “ Consistent, nurturing, predictable, structured and enriching experiences in a safe environment during early childhood have a positive impact on brain organization and function, leading toward more empathetic, responsible, and fully functioning adults” (p 1). C. Objections and refutation people do not agree with your claim – you must allow the other side room to voice their opinion and then provide research to show why they are incorrect. For example – Some parents feel that after a certain age, children are no longer their responsibility. For example, some parents feel that by age 7 or 8 the child can become what is known as a “latch key” child and be left unattended after school for hours. However there are laws to protect young children who are left unattended. According to Latch-key-Kids.org, no child under the age of 12 should be left home unattended and there are many states including Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming where that law is enforced. Other states such as Washington, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, and Maryland have laws with mandatory younger ages for leaving children alone. III. Second claim A. Statement B. Support for the statement - researched C. Objections and refutation - researched IV. Third claim A. Statement B. Support for the statement - researched C. Objections and refutation - researched V. Conclusion A. Restatement of topic B. Restatement of main ideas Please remember, I have given you the OUTLINE, you must take the ideas from this technique and put them into an essay. THE FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY IN SOCIALIZING OF CHILDREN Mohamed Kourouma Student ID Number: 21057686 Submitted for course number SSC 125 Introduction to Sociology Friday November 9, 2011 Research project number 05055101 At the time of birth, a child will only be a raw material. He will become a finished good or a complete human only after the interactions with the environment including family and society. In other words, family and society are the moulds in which a chid shapes his life. Family has more responsibility than the society in the socializing of children. Children get the basic lessons of socializing from the family. As the primary agent of socialization and first educator, the family plays an important role in the transmission of fundamental values that encourage and nurture learning in a young child (Dr. Perrino, n. d., p.2). There are a few examples in my near relatives where the children suffer from peer dejection which has not only lowered their self-esteem and confidence but also repressed their academic performance. Since the parents are the first medium of interaction for the child, it is their responsibility for the socialization of their children until their initial schooling. Some parents believe that children require their attention only till the age of seven or eight; however such a notion is mistaken as children are still under the process of mental development during that age. Socializing is an important key to gaining acceptance and love, first from the family and then from others. Young children are so dependent on the love and acceptance of their family” children usually visualize their parents as role model (66). They will curiously watch all the movements of their parents including the socializing activities. Parents often talk with others in the presence of their children. They may not be aware of the fact that their children are watching their mannerisms, tone, modulation, gestures, facial expression etc. Young children will store all such data in their minds for future use. Even when the children are ten or twelve years old, they spend majority of their time at home where their only exposure is parents. Therefore even after the children cross the age of ten or twelve, parents should consider children as their responsibility. The goal of parenting is to raise a child who is healthy and successful in life, a child who can contribute to self and to society, who accepts and works to further the social order. The process--the behaviours that are used over time--to reach these goals is termed socialization (Lerner et al., 1998). It is the responsibility of the parents to help their children socialize during his early years. For example, it is quite possible that children utter certain rash words or improper languages in the presence of others. It is the responsibility of the parents to make them aware about the usage of words, in family and society. They should educate their children how to behave in family and in society. Family is a place in which casual talking or informal communication occurs. On the other hand, society is a place in which formal talking occurs. Parents should make their children aware of the differences in communication between family members, friends and members of the society. Children should get proper awareness about when should use formal words and informal words. Usages of formal words in family and in friends’ circle are not good for proper socializing whereas usage of formal words is necessary while mingling with the dignitaries in the society. Children often struggle to identify the occasions in which they should use formal worlds and informal words. Only the parents can help them in this regard. Children get basic lessons of socializing from their family and therefore parents and family have huge roles in shaping the socializing behaviour of children. If the parents do not perform this duty well, then the child has no source of learning. Such children end up becoming outcasts among their peers and may even suffer from various psychological diseases. It is therefore duty of every parent to help their children learn socializing. References: Brinkerhoff D.B., White L.K, Ortega S.T and Weitz R. (2007). Essentials of sociology. Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing; 7 edition (March 14, 2007) Dr. Perrino R. G. (n. d.). The socialization process and its impacts on children and learning. Retrieved from http://www.nvtutoring.com/pdfs/Socialization.pdf Lerner R.M., Noh E.R., and Wilson C. (1998).The Parenting of Adolescents and Adolescents as Parents: A Developmental Contextual Perspective. Retrieved from http://parenthood.library.wisc.edu/Lerner/Lerner.html Read More