The Sence of Socialization for Individuals
Socialization is the process through which people are taught to be skilled members of a society. It describes the ways that people can understand the rules of the society and its expectations, to accept the beliefs of the society, and to be aware of its values. This is one of the socialization essays in which this process in discussed.
Socialization is important to individuals as well as to the societies which they live in. It shows how much interconnected human beings are to their social worlds. First, it is through teaching culture to new members that a society perpetuates itself. If new generations of a society don’t learn its way of life, it ceases to exist. Whatever is distinctive about a culture must be transmitted to those who join it in order for a society to survive.
Socialization is very essential to every individual as it helps individuals function well in society, and hence helps the society to run smoothly. Family members, teachers, religious leaders, and peers all play roles in a person's socialization. Social interaction helps us in seeing ourselves through another person’s eyes, and how we learn who we are and how we fit into the world around us. In addition, to function successfully in society, we need to know the culture, everything from how to dress ourselves to what’s suitable attire for a specific occasion; from when we sleep to what we sleep on; and from what’s considered appropriate to eat for dinner to how to use the stove to prepare it. Also, we have to learn the common language in order to communicate and to think.
During socialization, a person learns to become a member of a group, community, or society. This process not only accustoms people to social groups but also results in such groups sustaining themselves. Socialization also ensures that the norms and customs of society are transmitted to others. Socialization teaches people what is expected of them in a particular group or in a situation.
Socialization has numerous goals for youth and adults alike. It teaches children to control their biological impulses, such as using a toilet instead of wetting their pants or bed. The socialization process also helps individuals develop a conscience aligned with social norms and prepares them to perform various roles.
Last but not least, socialization has its drawbacks too. Since dominant cultural norms, values, assumptions, and beliefs guide the process, it is not a neutral endeavor. This means that socialization may reproduce the prejudices that lead to forms of social injustice and inequality. Race and racism influence socialization processes in other ways too. Tainted by racism, the behavior of teachers socializes all students to have low expectations for youth of color. This kind of socialization results in an over-representation of minority students in remedial classes and an under-representation of them in gifted class. It may also result in these students being punished more harshly for the same kinds of offenses that non-color students commit. While socialization is necessary, it's important to recognize the values, norms, and behaviors this process reproduces. As society's ideas about race, class, and gender evolve, so will the forms of socialization that involve these identity markers.
