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Socialization is the process of teaching individuals how to integrate into society with societal standards, norms, and values.

Although most socialization occurs at a young age, it's not a one-time or short-term event—it's a lifelong process.

As we grow older, we encounter age transition points, such as:

becoming school aged

entering the workforce

retiring

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Socialization is important to wider society because it occurs every day.

It helps individuals learn how to interact, communicate, and behave in a socially acceptable manner. We should give everyone a better sociological understanding of it so everyone can recognize how values and norms are shaped in society. Understanding socialization can help people appreciate different perspectives.

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Social groups: give the first experiences of socialization

Family

Practices of raising a child vary from one nation to another.

Peer Groups

Give children the opportunity to meet other peers and slowly become independent.

Institutional Agents: teach people societal norms

School

While there are true lessons and curriculum, there is a hidden curriculum done by schools. Different societies have different hidden curriculums. Here are examples in U.S. schools.

Competitions: show that you can win or lose (Bowles and Gintis 1976).

Projects: demonstrate teamwork

Workplace

People are socialized by various work environments

Material culture: "How do you operate this device?"

Nonmaterial culture: "Is it okay for me to ask our boss? When?"

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Mass Media

Material culture: technology, stores, etc.

Nonmaterial culture

Values

Beliefs

Norms: girls wear pink, boys wear blue

Mass media dictates gender roles.

Many companies, notably Disney, has created countless princess movies (Snow White, Cinderella, etc.)

Princesses are often damsels-in-distress, being rescued by a man, and marrying him at the end.

Young girls are fed with an unhealthy emphasis on beauty and STEM subjects being related to as "masculine."

Disney has recognized this impact and has steered their movies into princesses who have feminine qualities but are strong, talented, and able to help themselves and others.

Toys are a very visible factor of gender roles being marketed to children.

Dolls and cooking toys are marketed to girls. "Caring behavior is feminine!"

Hammers and cars are marketed to boys. "Building things is masculine!"

Society is primarily stratified by gender.

Patriarchy: social construct where men have more power and dominate other genders

Most societies in history have been patriarchies.

Due to socialization agents and mass media, social stratification is passed down from generation to generation.

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Abandoned toddler rescued and raised by feral dogs | 60 Minutes Australia

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Abandoned toddler rescued and raised by feral dogs | 60 Minutes Australia

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A prime example of nature vs. nurture is found in a video by 60 Minutes Australia, highlighting a Ukranian toddler named Oksana.

Due to severe childhood neglect, Oksana fled to a dog kennel and began to communicate with the dogs by barking.

Her behavior and language were influenced by being raised by animals.

To survive, she barked, washed, ate, and moved like a dog.

It took her years to redevelop and learn the language, having the mentality of a young toddler. Studies have shown that after the age of 5, it is almost impossible to grasp the concept of language.

Even when she was brought to a care facility, when faced with loneliness, she would return to her dog-like behavior.

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Resocialization is when helpful behaviors are removed because they are no longer needed.

Examples:

Oksana begins to lose her dog-like behaviors and methods of hunting, etc.

When people undergo rigorous military training.

Entering a religious order (Example: becoming a monk requires great isolation)

This process is usually stress-inducing because people have to unlearn behaviors that are ingrained and normal to them.

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Are our identities created by our nature (genetics) or how we are nurtured? (external environment) 

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Are our identities created by our nature (genetics) or how we are nurtured? (external environment) 

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Nature vs. Nurture is a debate discussing which side truly shapes our identity.

Nature

We are born with specific values, personalities, hobbies, and talents.

Example of Nature's Impact

Identical twins were put up for adoption, separated from each other, and raised in different environments.

When reunited, they behaved similarly and even used the same gestures and facial expressions.

Nurture

We internalize the norms, beliefs, and cultures we are fed and exposed to.

Example of Nurture's Impact

Chris Langan had an IQ of over 195, higher than the average person.

He lived a simple life because he lacked the practical intelligence to propel himself forward in college.

Studies show:

Lower-income parents let their children develop very independently

Higher-income parents actively fostered and improved a child’s skills and talents with all the available resources.

Parents are prime agents of socialization because young children can be easily socialized. They can then internalize those values for life.

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Crash Course (2017). Gender Stratification: Crash Course Sociology #32. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb1_4FPtzrI&ab_channel=CrashCourse.

Litte, W. & McGivern, R. (2014). Chapter 5.2 Why Socialization Matters. In Introduction to Sociology. Creative

Commons.

https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/5-2-why-socialization-matters

Litte, W. & McGivern, R. (2014). Chapter 5.3 Agents of Socialization. In Introduction to Sociology. Creative Commons. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/5-3-agents-of-socialization

Litte, W. & McGivern, R. (2014). Openstax Chapter 5.4 Socialization Across the Life Course. In Introduction to Sociology. Creative Commons. https://openstax.org/books/introduction-sociology-3e/pages/5-4-socialization-across-the-life-course

60 Minutes Australia (2018). Abandoned toddler rescued and raised by feral dogs | 60 Minutes Australia. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv3ocntSSUU&ab_channel=60MinutesAustralia

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5.2 Why Socialization Matters - Introduction to Sociology 3e | OpenStax

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This free textbook is an OpenStax resource written to increase student access to high-quality, peer-reviewed learning materials.