Socialization and Children

The process of socialization is influenced by several factors including family, religion, school, media, work, and volunteer groups. Each plays a significant role and has an influence on one’s life.

Many of us go about living our lives in such a manner that everything seems to be under our control, but that is far from reality. These external agents are the hidden social forces that are beyond our control and guide our lives.

The impact of these forces vary individually depending on their circumstances and social status. These factors have a strong impact during the formative years of an individual and during the individual’s schooling. The consequences of these forces can be severe and life altering.

School

School plays an important role in the socialization process as it is the place where the child spends most of the time without his or her family. They teach the child moral values and are primary transmitters of knowledge and information.

Each child enters the school looking for the same opportunity to be successful, but may not be a reality. The process of socialization demands that each child is provided equal opportunity irrespective of the social class he or she belongs to. But in practice social disparities do happen based on the social identity of the child.

The children look at their peers as their role model, and it does impact the child’s academic achievements. Every child must be encouraged for their achievements by the school immaterial of their social status.

Social identity does have short-term and long-term implications on the academics of the child. The education system must provide a level playing field as the society desires.

Family

Family plays a significant role in the transformation of the child, educating them with core values immaterial of their educational background. Academic success can be achieved with the family being a good guiding force.

Media

Media plays a vital role in influencing young minds, and with the advent of social media, no doubt it stimulates the child’s learning process. It acts as an agent of socialization that glorifies the child’s imagination.

Religion

Religion, an agent of socialization, continues to play the role of a social identity for people in society. When children mature, they understand the significance of spiritual values and its impact on their lives.

The visual impact of social injustice against a particular community can make the child get frustrated and create an emotional crisis. The role of a family in this environment is to minimize their negative imagination and provide them positive thought process.

Parents must be the role model to their children in the process of socialization and raise them as responsible adults.