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.

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

  
  

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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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