Agent of socialization - Essay Example

Running Head: The Agents of Socialization Department Socialization takes place for as long as we live and is a very important process in our own human development. It is through it that we learn emotions and develop the sense of self hence it ultimately shapes our behaviors. We learn our languages, societal values and find our places in the society through socialization. Agents of socialization therefore those important people or groups who influence our socialization. These include parents/guardians, co-workers, the church and other special groups of interests.

They change we pass through the different stages of growth and they play a very significant role in preparing us to assume our places in the society. A very important agent of socialization in everyone’s live is the family; in jour childhood years we totally depend on our families for support in terms of both physical and emotional needs. We learn from the environment created by the family and it is during this time that parents transfer their desired social standards as well political views to us.

Another agent of socialization involves the peer groups, very important especially in adolescence when we start developing identities and exerting our independence. They offer a unique socialization experience outside the family setting. The school also acts as an agent of socialization; we are taught nationalism, citizenship, the histories of our nation, develop a since of competition e.g. for grades etc with the role model being the teacher. Other institutional agents of socialization include the church, the government, mass media and the work place.

They all serve to educate and help us learn what the society expects of us. In conclusion therefore environment provides information which ultimately shapes the way we socialize. The way we interact with the immediate family, members of peer groups, and other social groups plays a very crucial role in terms of teaching us how to behave. The society through its institutions which may be either formal or informal socializes the population. Finally institutions we identify with such as the school, church, media and the workplace also communicate to us and underline cultural values, standards and norms.

References.1. Hye-Jin Paek, Bryan H. Reber and Ruthann W. Lariscy. (2011). Roles of Interpersonal and Media Socialization Agents in Adolescent Self-Reported Health Literacy: A Health Socialization Perspective. Health Education Research:Vol, 26(1).2. Jeanne H. Ballantine and Keith A. Roberts (2010). Our Social World: Introduction to Sociology. Sage Publications, Inc.3. Jorn J. Macionis. (2014). Society: The Basics, 13th Ed. Pearson.