Socialization – Culture and society – Society
We explain what socialization is and what its agents are. In addition, the stages and importance of this process.
What is socialization?
Socialization or socialization is the process by which individuals welcome the sociocultural elements of the context in which they develop relationships with other people. This allows the individual to internalize the perspectives, guidelines, beliefs, cultural norms, and values ​​that govern a given society at a particular historical moment.
Through socialization, the individual is influenced by social agents, institutions, groups, or organizations (such as schools or families) with which people interact. It is a process that accompanies the person in all stages of their development. However, socialization is fundamental in infancy and childhood because it contributes to the child’s social, cognitive, and psychic development.
Socialization allows the individual to know the social forms that are considered “correct” and determine the way of behaving before other human beings. Thus, the person incorporates notions, such as the difference between behaviors or values ​​acceptable in a society (such as listening, respect, and tolerance), and values ​​considered unacceptable or harmful (such as envy, pride, and lies).
It is essential to clarify that this process can also occur during specific changes a person may go through during their social life, for example, the transcultural change that means traveling from one country to another or moving to another continent. These changes imply in the individual a process of resocialization, in which he will try to adopt the norms or values ​​of the society in which he seeks to insert himself.
Socialization agents or socializing agents are those elements that intervene in the socialization process of a person. These agents can be individuals or institutions (such as family, school, religious organizations, friends, or a club) with which the person is linked and through which they carry out their social activity. Socialization agents greatly influence individuals and their social behavior because they transmit values ​​and beliefs that shape their personalities.
Socialization agents or socializing agents are those elements that intervene in the socialization process of a person. These agents can be individuals or institutions (such as family, school, religious organizations, friends, or a club) with which the person is linked and through which they carry out their social activity. Socialization agents greatly influence individuals and their social behavior because they transmit values ​​and beliefs that shape their personalities.
The main agents of socialization are:
- Family. It is the first agent of socialization with which the human being relates. In this environment, the person absorbs values, beliefs, and ways of life that shape his personality and influence his opinions, attitudes, and behaviors. Many family ties can be maintained in the human being throughout various stages of his life.
- School. It is the agent of socialization with which individuals relate at a very early age. In this context, the person begins to relate to his peers and teachers, which implies knowing the rules and accepting new opinions and norms of coexistence. In addition, the school contributes to the child’s cognitive development and stimulates skills such as speech and communication.
- Friendship. It is the agent of socialization that can occur from childhood or adolescence and through various stages of development of the person. Charities generate influence on individuals (which can be both negative and positive).
- Media. The socialization agent includes the platforms and media used by individuals to interact with each other. Socialization through these media is on the rise, and they are one of the main channels adolescents and young people use to bond, especially among peers.
- Associations and organizations. It is socialization agents organizations and groups formed around a common cause, such as religious organizations, clubs, or self-help groups. In these people, an idea, belief, or objective is linked.
- Members in these environments groups. The socialization agent includes those groups that individuals form spontaneously for a common interest, such as a soccer team, a music band, a choir, or a literature workshop.
