What is Socialization?

Socialization in sociology: 

Socialization is a fundamental concept in the field of sociology, exploring the process through which individuals acquire the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values of their society. 

Macionis defines socialization as "the lifelong process of social experience through which we develop our human potential". The term 'developing human potential' is very important in this definition as it refers to certain traits or characteristics that define us as humans. These traits or characteristics are culturally defined. For example, whether the funeral ceremony will represent feelings of sadness or celebration varies across cultures. In the mainstream Pakistani cultural context, when someone departs from the world, people feel sad over this loss However, in the culture of Kalash valley, death is celebrated. socialization is the process of learning but what to learn and how to learn varies from culture to culture. Similarly, socialization is the process of enculturation which simply means that people are socialized to internalize cultural norms and values.

Human beings, unlike animals and birds, do not rely on instincts rather they need a culture for their survival. This process of learning and internalizing culture is achieved through the process of socialization. the way the members of society feel, think and act is shaped through socialization using a broader framework of culture. According to E.S. Bogardus "Socialization is the process of working together, of developing group responsibility or being guided by the welfare needs of others".

Simply, Socialization refers to the lifelong process through which individuals acquire the cultural norms, values, beliefs, behaviours, and skills of their society. It is the means by which we learn to interact effectively within our social environment and become functioning members of our communities..

 Socialization can be divided into following types

Types of Socialization:

• Primary Socialization: This occurs during early childhood years and is primarily influenced by family members. It lays the foundation for an individual's identity and entails learning language, developing cognition, and internalizing societal norms and values. During this time, the child learns to use of senses and environment by observation and imitation. Primary socialization takes place in primary groups of which family is the most important.

• Secondary Socialization: As a person grows older, secondary socialization takes place through formal institutions such as schools, peer groups, religious organizations, and the media. These institutions further shape our values, beliefs, and behaviours. Peer group refers to people who share certain traits and of the same age, interests, occupation and social class. The influence of peer groups on an individual is very strong as people spend a great deal of time with their friends.

• Adult Socialization: It refers to learning the practices attached to social roles that one acquires after adolescence. For example, after marriage, husband and wife learn the new expectations attached to their roles. The expectations may include seeking advice from each other before making any major decision, sharing financial burdens and providing emotional support.

• Anticipatory Socialization: Refers to learning the expectations attached to a particular group that helps to acquire the membership of that group. For example, a business graduate should dress up formally at any job-hiring event to give an impression that he conforms to the attitudes and practices of business community.

• Re-socialization: It refers to completely discarding previously held behaviour patterns in favour of new ones. Such a process normally takes place in total institutions. MAcionis define total institutions as "a setting in which people are isolated from the rest of society and manipulated by an administration staff". For example, prisons, rehabilitation centers and mental asylums.

Agents of Socialization: Agents of socialization are the individuals, groups, and institutions that play a role in the socialization process. These agents include family, friends, teachers, media, and religious leaders.

Primary Agents of Socialization:

• Family: The family is the primary and strongest agent of socialization, where individuals start socialization and learn their first language, cultural values, and basic social skills. Before other agents become active, the family has already left a deep imprint on an individual. As A.K. Merton puts it: "It is family which is a major transmission belt for the diffusion of culture standards to the oncoming generation"

• Peer Groups: Peer Groups refer to people who share certain traits, like age, interests, gender, occupation and social class. The influence of peer groups on the process of socialization is profound as people spend a large proportion of their time with friends and are usually involved in many activities. Sutherland's theory of differential association states that one's association,e.g. peers defines whether any behaviour is wrong or right.

• Religion: Religious institutions socialize individuals by imparting religious beliefs, rituals, moral values, and guiding behaviour within a specific faith community. It is an important agent of socialisation as well as social control. Many cultural norms and values are influenced, shaped and derived from religion.

• Media: Mass media, including television, the internet, and social media, influences attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours by providing models and shaping cultural norms. In contemporary societies, mass media has become the strongest agent of socialization. The theory of George Gerbner argues that watching television frequently can make people believe that the reality projected on the television is factual. Mass media socializes an individual regarding the existing patterns of society thereby supporting the status quo however, media being an important power instrument can ever defy existing social arrangements and can, therefore, act as an agent of social change.

Significance of Socialization:

Understanding socialization is critical for sociology graduates because it sheds light on various aspects of human behavior and society:

Cultural Transmission: Socialization is how culture is passed down from one generation to the next. It helps maintain the continuity of culture by teaching individuals the customs, traditions, and values of their society.

Social Identity: Socialization contributes to the formation of an individual's social identity, including their self-concept, gender identity, racial and ethnic identity, and more. It shapes how people perceive themselves and others.

Social Integration: Through socialization, individuals learn the rules of social interaction, cooperation, and the importance of societal cohesion. It fosters a sense of belonging and community.

Social Control: Socialization teaches individuals about acceptable and unacceptable behavior, reinforcing social norms and values. It helps maintain social order and control.

Social Change: An understanding of socialization is essential for analyzing how changes in the socialization process can lead to shifts in society. For example, changes in media and technology have transformed the way people are socialized in the modern era.

In conclusion, socialization provides you with a framework to comprehend how individuals are shaped by society and, in turn, contribute to its functioning. Socialization is a multifaceted concept that lies at the heart of sociology.