SOCIALIZATION: Concept
and Factors.....
Dr. Purshottam
Assistant Professor (Guest faculty)
Department of Social Work,
KUK

SOCIALIZATION
 Socialization: Active process, where
human beings 
 Learn how to become members of society
 Develop a self or sense of individual
identity, and
 Learn to participate in social relationships
with others.

Socialization Agents
 Socialization agents are the sources
from which we learn about society and
ourselves.
 People and groups that influence our
self- concept, emotions, attitudes, and
behaviour are called agents of
socialization.

Factors influencing Socialization :
 Role of Family
 Peer group
 Neighbourhood
 School
 Mass Media and Technology
 Religion and Social Values

Role of Family
 Family is the first agent of socialization.
Mothers and fathers, siblings and
grandparents, plus members of an extended
family, all teach a child what he or she needs
to know. For example, they show the child how
to use objects (such as clothes, computers,
eating utensils, books, bikes); how to relate to
others (some as “family,” others as “friends,”
still others as “strangers” or “teachers” or
“neighbors”); and how the world works (what is
“real” and what is “imagined”).

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION:
FAMILIES
 Through close interaction with parents and
small number of others, child:
 Learns to think and speak
 Internalizes norms, beliefs, and values
 Learns gender roles
 Develops capacity for intimate and personal
relationships
 Begins to develop a self image…

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION:
FAMILIES
 Socialization affected by:
 Social class of parents
 Parenting style
 Preparedness of parents for parenting role
 Psychological health of parents (e.g.,
neglect, abuse, or abandonment of child)
 Family type (e.g., single parent family, joint
family)

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION:
SCHOOLS
• Schools teach children the values and
customs of the larger society.
 Teach children indirectly to be less emotionally
dependent
 Adjust children to their social order
 Build character through formal curriculum and
“hidden curriculum”: Informal teaching that
helps ensure students’ integration into society
 Reinforce gender roles

Agents of Socialization:
Peer Groups
 As children grow older, peer groups role increasing
in our life.
 Peer groups can ease the transition to adult
responsibilities.
 Peer groups can encourage children to honor or
violate cultural norms and values.
 Peer groups can be a source of harassment as well
as support.

AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION:
PEER GROUPS
 Allow children and young people:
 Opportunities to engage in experiences not
provided in family, including examining feelings,
beliefs and ideas not acceptable to family
 Opportunities for self-direction and self-
expression
 Can strongly shape individual’s aspirations and
behaviours.

Agents of Socialization: Mass
Media and Technology
 53 percent of all children ages 12 to 18
have their own televisions.
 Television permits imitation and role
playing but does not encourage more
complex forms of learning.
 Not just the televisions, but mobile
phones plays an important role in
socialization.

Agents of Socialization:
Religion
 Religion still continues to exert considerable
influence on our beliefs, values, and
behaviours.
 In considering the effects of religion on
socialization, we need to distinguish between
religious preference and religiosity.
 For example: issue of abortion

OTHER SOCIALIZING AGENTS
 Athletic teams: May teach young people about
cooperation, competition, following rules, and
establishing friendships
 Organizations
 Youth groups
 Job place (office)
 Other institutions

THANKS