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Sociology and Socialization Essay

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The term socialization can be defined as the process in which individuals learn the behavioral patterns that are most likely accepted and tolerated in society. This process includes the learning values in which children are taught and they develop the social values of their parents or guardians just by observing them. Socialization occurs from the birth of the individual and continues throughout their life. Socialization is classified as one of the most important process in the family. Of all the major sociological perspectives, symbolic interactionism has probably developed the most detailed theory of socialization, Haralambos, Holborn. Sociology - …show more content…

He emphasizes that they are strongly influenced by the peer group through social interaction. He also outlined that children of a peer group participates in rule - making rather than just having to follow those that were taught to them. Handel (2006) observes that, at birth, an infant is not able to take part in society by cooperating with others. The two reasons he states, that contributes to this are the fact that the infant is physically immature and also, unsocialized. Handel also believes that socialization involves conflict whereas functionalist, T. Parsons does not agree. T. Parsons is probably the most important functionalist theorist of socialization. Parsons believe that through the socialization process, the individual is able to internalize society's values and these values then becomes a part of their personality. Through socialization, individuals are able to take on aspects of society's culture, their behavior becomes largely predictable and they contribute to the maintenance of social order. The family is seen as the most important agent in the socialization process, so it is classified as a primary group. However, Professor Alvin Gouldner believes that T. Parsons underestimated the

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