AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION AND EFFECTS OF SOCIALIZATION

Agents of Socialization

1. The family  
2. The school  
3. The peer group/age group 
4. The mass media 
5. The church/mosque/shrine

The Family:

This is the first agent of socialization. Some of the things the child learns in the family are:

– Good morals, attitudes, and behavior that are acceptable in society.

– Religious belief.

– The food, language, and greetings of his people.

– Interacting with other members of the family.

The School:

The teachers are trained to perform the following duties in the socialization process of the child:

– Impart technical knowledge and skills that would help the child to survive in society.

– Helps the child acquire the right attitudes and values.

– Instill discipline in the individual.

– Acts as a model to the pupils and students.

The Peer/Age Group:

An individual who has made a good choice of friends will develop the following habits:

– Studying hard.

– Neatness.

– Speaking politely.

An individual who has made the wrong choice of friends by keeping company with a bad peer group may develop any of the following traits:

– Stealing.

– Truancy.

– Rudeness.

The Mass Media:

The following are some of the things that people learn from the mass media:

– People learn what is happening around them and in other parts of the world.

– People learn about foreign cultures.

– They learn songs, dance steps, and fashion.

The Church/Mosque/Shrine:

The roles of these institutions are as follows:

– They help in reforming people through their sermons.

– They help promote peace, tranquility, and love.

– Helps to promote justice and fair play.

– They engage in charity work such as visiting motherless babies’ homes.

Effect of Socialization:

Good Qualities:

– Discipline

– Integrity

– Contentment

– Sensitivity

– Knowledge

– A sense of responsibility

Bad Qualities:

– Lying and general dishonesty

– Stealing

– Disrespect to elders

– Thuggery

– Cultism