Socialisation

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Socialisation

Socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals acquire the norms, values, skills, and behaviors necessary to function effectively in society. It transforms newborns into social beings, enabling participation in cultural and group life. Primary socialization occurs in childhood, mainly via family, instilling basic language, hygiene, and moral foundations. Secondary socialization follows in schools, workplaces, and peer groups, refining roles for adulthood.

Agents include family (initial role models), education (formal knowledge and discipline), peers (conformity pressures), media (shaping perceptions), and religion (ethical frameworks). Theories abound: Freud's psychosexual stages emphasize internal conflicts; Piaget's cognitive development highlights mental maturation; Mead's symbolic interactionism posits the "self" emerges through role-taking, like the "I" and "me."

Socialization ensures cultural continuity, preventing anomie—Durkheim's term for normlessness. It fosters identity, but can perpetuate inequalities, as in gender socialization reinforcing stereotypes. Resocialization, in total institutions like prisons (Goffman), strips old identities for new ones.

Anticipatory socialization prepares for future roles, e.g., medical training. In diverse societies, multicultural socialization promotes tolerance. Challenges arise in dysfunctional families, leading to deviant behaviors, addressed by social workers through interventions like therapy.

Globalization introduces hybrid socialization, blending traditions with modern influences via internet exposure. Lifelong aspects include adult transitions like marriage or retirement. Effective socialization builds empathy, resilience, and civic responsibility, crucial for social cohesion.

Critiques note it can suppress individuality, as in conformity pressures. Yet, it's adaptive; Erikson's stages show psychosocial crises resolved through social interactions. In MSW, understanding socialization informs child welfare, elder care, and community programs, empowering individuals to navigate societal expectations while fostering personal growth.