The Main Agents of The Political Socialization

Socialization and resocialization are social processes that individuals experience throughout their entire life span, that involves teaching norms that are generally accepted by society as a whole and is how one inherits these norms, customs, ideologies, and skills and/or habits for being proficient members of society.(OpenStax College, 2015) Socialization is obtained through social interaction with the world around you. Essentially socialization is what makes you, you. Everything from your beliefs to the cultures you are taught to the religion you choose. Many social institutions play a part in the socialization process such as family, education, religion, work, and government. There are several different agents of socialization that an individual is presented with that allows them to become productive members of society, such as primary socialization, secondary socialization, religious socialization, political socialization, re-socialization, etc. Resocialization is when the learnings of socialization are influenced by an individual’s social surroundings that introduce new values and beliefs. (OpenStax, 2015) Which all make us who we are today. Along with these different types of socialization, there are three different perspectives that sociologists aim to view these types of socialization processes which include Functionalism, conflict and symbolic interactionism.

The first form of socialization that one can expect to be introduced to is Primary socialization. Primary socialization comes from one’s family or guardians and includes an individual’s first experiences with language, values, beliefs, and norms of society. Parents or guardians teach everything from learning how to make your bed, brush your teeth in the mornings, etc., to religion and how you as an individual view society. (OpenStax College, 2015) this type of socialization aims to teach young children culture and family norms. However, Theoretical perspectives view the family differently. Functionalists believe that family is a critical social institution that stabilizes and develops society. Whereas, conflict theorists aim to view the family as “private entities”, that struggle with power within themselves and the government and as a result lessens an individuals status role, while interactionist view family as a symbol that involves respect and passion, that flow with social norms and social changes.(OpenStax College, 2015) Nevertheless, families are responsible for primary socialization. Primary socialization is important because it prepares one for other types of socialization for instance secondary socialization.

Secondary socialization is where young children become socialized outside the home within the society around them, usually at school settings. Schools introduce socialization by providing diversity and peer groups and hidden curriculums. This is something that couldn’t be acquired in just a primary socialization setting. Children interact with other children from all different types of backgrounds, races, ethnicities even children with disabilities. (OpenStax, 2015) Schools provide an expectation for students to arrive on time, turn work in on time, or even to raise your hand before you speak. But not only do they have expectations that shape an individual for a working society, but they also have hidden curriculums that help mold children for the real world. The hidden curriculum is a nonacademic curriculum that children learn through informal learning. (OpenStax College, 2015) For example, a group of students may have to present their project on Photosynthesis to a class, exhibiting teamwork skills, time management, problem-solving and presentation skills. All of which are hidden inside the class curriculum and aren’t formally taught. Access to education isn’t always guaranteed and varies by social class for a lot of Americans. Those from wealthier backgrounds are more prone to a better education than those of poorer counterparts. (OpenStax College, 2015) Theoretical perspectives also vary in education. Functionalists believe education is the foundation for individuals’ performance for their specific roles in society. Conflict theorists believe that education sheds light on social inequality. Interactionists study the interactions between teachers and students and how those relationships affect day-to-day life. (OpenStax College, 2015)

Another agent of socialization is religion, religion is a system of beliefs, values and/or practices that one believes is spiritually significant or sacred. (OpenStax College, 2015) Religion plays a huge role in an individual’s direction in life and is mostly influenced by parents. Exposure to religion can influence anticipatory socialization that is passed down through generations. (OpenStax College, 2015) Parents may faithfully attend religious ceremonies with their children, which instills the ways of that specific religion. Children that grow up in religion will most likely have religious children. (OpenStax College, 2015) This institution allows people to socialize in a relatable setting such as churches, mosques and Hindu temples, etc. However, not all beliefs and religious practices are deemed socially acceptable, practices of polygyny, cults and denominational churches are viewed negatively by society. (OpenStax College, 2015) Theoretical lenses can provide some more perspectives on religion. Functionalists believe that religion offers emotional support, creates a place for socialization, and answers spiritual mysteries. Conflict theorist sees religion as a form of control and power that bring to light the patterns of social inequality. While Interactionists believe that beliefs and experiences aren’t sacred unless religious people believe they are. (OpenStax College, 2015)

The workforce is another social institution an individual can expect to experience Socialization. Work is defined as the mental and physical effort of carrying out a task that reproduces goods or provides a service that caters to the needs of other people. (OpenStax College, 2015) Some important factors of socialization in the workplace are the interactions an individual has with the people in a shared work environment. These relationships help employees learn the corporate culture, increases skills, and motivation. In the workplace an individual learns the norms of the social institution which includes how an employee views work with another employee (teamwork), sharing of information and work habits. All of which work together in improving the work environment as a whole ( OpenStax, 2015) In addition to the positives in the workplace, the workforce also experiences some negatives aspects such as outsourcing (moving jobs overseas because it cost less and the profits are more) and automation (replacing workers for machines). (OpenStax College, 2015) Which contributes to the loss of jobs for Americans. The different sociological perspectives can elaborate on our understandings of the workforce. Functionalists would say that the workforce was designed to award those who work hard and complete their jobs effectively, which improves motivation. While, conflict theorists would argue that hard work does not guarantee success due to social capital, and the way to success and high paying jobs is through your education. (OpenStax College, 2015)

Political socialization is also a way one can be socialized, the social institution that contributes to socialization within our society is the government. Political socialization is how an individual acquires their political beliefs. (OpenStax College, 2015) Political socialization usually can be influenced by family, peers, and other surroundings such as school, media or even religion. So, if an individual chooses either the liberal or conservative beliefs of society, the majority of the time it’s because of their surroundings. Sometimes these views change as your surroundings change. (OpenStax College, 2015) For instance, if you grew up with conservative beliefs as a child, and as you grew older and experienced or gained different beliefs then you may expect your political beliefs to change. Another influencer of political socialization that can affect an individual’s beliefs is globalization. When someone thinks of globalization they may think of global trades. However, when someone studying politics looks at political views of other nations that don’t practice the death penalty, they may strive for changes in the U.S, that change our political thoughts on the death penalty. (OpenStax College, 2015) Now, social theorists also view politics differently, Functionalists believe that the government and politics are existent to enforce norms and regulation of conflict, they see the dysfunctions of governments and politics as an aid that leads to social change. Conflict theorists, on the other hand, view politics and government as an elitist political system that only contributes to the wealth of those with more power and authority, and this type of thinking has a reverse effect on the idea that “All Americans have a voice in their government”. While interactionist focuses on symbolic figures or an individual with power and authority and is more concerned with the relationships within politics rather than the structure of the government. (OpenStax College, 2015)

Finally, the last type of socialization an individual may be introduced to is resocialization. Resocialization is when the learnings of socialization are influenced by an individual’s social surroundings that introduce new values and beliefs. (OpenStax, 2015) this type of socialization can occur when a child is not properly introduced to socialization in their early childhood or when an individual enters the prison system after committing a crime or when your career choice is choosing the military. This type of socialization happens in total institutions like prisons, military or in a single-parent household (OpenStax College, 2015) total institutions are designed to strip an individual of their norms, cultural values, and beliefs to enforce new values and beliefs usually with the intent of positive changes, economically, by using rewards or punishments based on behaviors. However, some may agree that this type of socialization specifically in prison systems can be beneficial to an individual. The environment for a person serving a prison system is designed for a prisoner to adjust to the specific rules and regulations of the prison and to enhance personality development. (Rus, 2012) Rus expands on the idea that such learnings must be done in stages to work effectively. First, by the person entering the prison system. Then, by socializing with other inmates, where they are met with social pressure. Ultimately, choosing to socialize with someone deemed “good” or “bad” to conform to. Which then leads to the enlightening of conditions other inmates experience such as depression, suicide, deprivation of freedom ( choice in clothing, the time you eat and go to bed) Which then leads to self-evaluation of the prisoner, the prisoner soon forms a “new vision” and takes on survival strategies while refocusing on small interest and submissiveness in the prison system. Finally, toward the end of the prison sentence, Rus believes a prisoner gains a better understanding of what is desirable from a social perspective (Rus, 2012) In turn, changes an individual’s personality for the better. It is important to understand that what can be learned can be unlearned and retaught, for improvement of the individual.

Socialization is extremely important for one to adapt to society and its norms. Here, we learned different forms of socialization like primary socialization, secondary socialization, religious socialization, political socialization, and re-socialization and the institutions that provide theses socialization processes like family, education, religion, work, and government. The roles each institution plays in the socialization process and the different theoretical perspectives on these socialization processes.