How Socialization Shapes Society

815 Words2 Pages

Socialization
Through socialization, a society relays cultural values to its members, intelligence is learned, and personalities are developed. In every society there are four types of social interaction and many socializing agents, but every society approaches them differently and different societies may have different socializing agents. This is because every society socializes in a different way.
The San have no authority figures to maintain order in their society, but although deviance is present, there are no gangs or thieves. San socialization is quite successful; therefore, there is little deviance throughout their society. Because there are no forma institutions, socialization is implicit. Through anticipatory socialization, children observe and imitate the roles of adults. The Ju/’hoansi children learn a lot from other children in their society. The older children help the younger ones by teaching them the rules of the game and how to correctly play it. As adolescents, the Ju/’hoansi spend most of their time socializing with adults; the boys hunt with the men while the women gather with the women. San people have norms of reciprocity, which dictate when and how to give gifts, as well as whom the gift needs to be given too. Cooperation, when everyone aids in achieving a common goal, is the second type of interaction. This is shown during the dry season when people in society help carry any large animal a hunter has killed, and through the games that are played by children. The San find competition frightening, and they ridicule anyone who over exaggerates their pride. They also try to avoid conflict.
The San people have four important rites of passage rituals that symbolize their transition into adulthood. The First...

... middle of paper ...

...f their significant others and may play “house” to imitate these roles. They begin to understand that the roles of the mother are quite different than those of the father. The final stage of this process is known as the game stage. Through this stage, the child learns the roles of “generalized others”, which are all other roles in society. Children start to interact with other people throughout society; therefore, they learn the values of society and incorporate them into their lives.
Through socialization, a society relays cultural values to its members, intelligence is learned, and personalities are developed. In every society there are four types of social interaction and many socializing agents, but every society approaches them differently and different societies may have different socializing agents. This is because every society socializes in a different way.

Open Document