Socialization refers to the process, through which an individual learns social values and norms, within society; which prepares him for future; to participate in social institutions of society. We study socialization from three sociological perspective, which are as follow; structural functional perspective, conflict perspective and symbolic interaction perspective.
Structural Functional Perspective
Structural functionalist believe that, each aspect of society work for the betterment and smooth functioning of society. Furthermore, different functioning parts of society work together; to create order and stability within a society. According to structural functional perspective, socialization too; work for the smooth functioning and betterment of society.
Children socialize in different social institutions; which prepare them to adapt positive social change and avoid behaviors; which might result in conflict or chaotic social change. In schools children from different ethnicities interact with one another; which display broader picture of society culture to them. Therefore, they learn patience towards, other ethnicities cultures; which coexist within a society. In schools they learn punctuality and to obey or follow rules. In families, children are taught how to behave; respect elders, parents and teachers, avoid abusive language, do not curse etc. in other words, children learn manners by, socializing in family. Furthermore, in religious institution; children learn values or morality; which is the difference between good and bad, right and wrong, virtuous and vicious behaviors. In addition they learn ritual and respect towards, the thing which is considered sacred within a given society.
From functional perspective, socialization is good for society and individuals. It create stability in society and young people become, prosper and productive members of society. However, critics argue that, children socialize within a society, where inequalities exist; we also teach them to accept all those inequalities. It will be difficult for them; to bring progressive change in the society, due to the existence of inequalities.
Conflict Perspective
Conflict theorist view society in a state of conflict between two classes, rich and poor. Where rich people exploit poor people for their benefit. Modern conflict theorist believe that conflict can occur within society on the basis of gender, race and ethnicity. According to conflict perspective, socialization can also benefit rich and powerful factions of society.
Children who are born in rich families, attend private schools, where teaching staff are highly educated. On the other hand, poor children attend public schools, where teachers are not that much qualified; compare to private school staff. Teachers socialize differently with children; in private and public schools. Teachers in private schools; prepare children for white color jobs or professions. However, public school prepare children for blue collar jobs. The socialization process vary for children within society due to, existing inequalities. It further work for the sustenance of existing inequalities within a society. Moreover, the expectation of parents differ for male and female child. Parents expect from daughters; to wash dishes after dinner. On the other hand, sons can play video games after dinner. Religious scholars or leaders teach people in congregation; wealth privilege to specific people and dominant position to specific ethnicities; have been granted by God.
Conflict perspective explains, how socialization can subjugate social change and become a source of generating inequalities, within a given society. However, conflict theorists failed; to explain the aspects of stable social system.
Symbolic Interaction Perspective
According to “Symbolic interaction perspective”, if we want to study the behavior of an individual, within a given society. We have to understand, the meanings of different behaviors; what meanings do those behaviors hold for others? And how those actions are interpreted by, the members of society? The meanings which are associated with different behaviors; develop through social relationships. An individual develop self-concept via, socializing in different groups; where he learns, which behaviors are accepted and which are not by, the members of society. An individual learns to behave according to the norms; which are imposed by, “social structure” and “social relationships”.
There are two theories of symbolic interaction perspective to analyze development of self-concept. Which are as follow, looking glass self and role taking.
Looking-Glass-Self Theory
Looking-glass-self theory was given by, “Charles Cooley”; in which he discussed, how people develop “self-concept”. By “self-concept” he meant that, to understand; who we are? What is our personality and position within a society? According to Charles Cooley, an individual develop self-concept; when he learns how others view him in a given society. Therefore, self-concept of an individual is develop through; learning how members of society perceive, his position and personality within a society. He called this phenomenon looking-glass-self.
Furthermore, Charles Cooley described; three steps through which, an individual develop self-concept. Firstly, an individual presumes; how he appears to others, within a society. Secondly, he presumes; how people perceive and judge his appearance. Lastly, he analyzes people judgments based on, his appearance; he either reject or accept, those judgments.
For instance, an individual who wants to pursue the career of novelist but, his current professor thinks that, his ideas, writing expressions and writing skills are not good enough to become, a successful novelist. He might think to consider pursuing another career. However, he analyze the remarks of his former professors and friends about, his writing and ideas. All his former professors and friends have complemented him; for his writing. Only his current professor thinks; he is not good enough to become a successful novelist. Finally, he may conclude that, his professor is biased or envious person.
The above example make it clear; our self-concept is not a mere reflection of others perception. However, it is based on how we evaluate people judgments; regarding our appearance. It depends on us whether, we reject or accept their judgments. Our past experience help us to determine or evaluate; whether, their perception is right or wrong regarding our personality. Therefore, subjective interpretation is considered as an important factor; in symbolic interaction perspective. People develop self-concept and judge others behavior; on the basis of, subjective interpretation.
Role Taking Theory;
After C.H. Cooley theory of looking glass self; George Herbert Mead develop a theory role taking which also discusses the development of “self”. According to Mead, self has two components “I” and “me”; when we do something to others, we use “I” and when someone does something to us, the word “we” is used. For instance, I broke the window; while playing with ball inside the house and dad scolded me. “I” component is the spontaneous creative part of “self”; on the other hand, “Me” is the part of “self”; which respond to the expectations of others. We satisfy the “I” part of self by, learning the perception and expectations of others; which is the “Me” component of self. We learn the “Me” component of self via, role taking. Role taking refers to; presuming oneself in the roles of others; to analyze how others judge our behavior.
In early childhood, children do not have the ability to understand; how others think? What are their expectations? And how they perceive different situations and behaviors? Therefore, in preparatory stage, children just copy the actions of the people; with whom they socialize regularly such as, parents and siblings.
Preparatory stage is followed by, play stage, in which children learn the knowledge of functioning in a society by, playing games. In this stage, children try to play the role of grownups. Daughter might take up the role of mother, try to dress up like her. She may try to play their mother role by, cooking food on toy stove. However, son may try to play the role of his father by, playing with the toy hammer. Because usually, fathers are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the house. Children adopt those roles; which they see regularly around them.
In the early two stages; children learn the expectation of significant other via, role playing. Significant others refers to, the close relationships like, parents and siblings. Significant others play an important role in child development of “self”. However, when children grow older they socialize in different groups and interact with different people; through which, they learn the expectations of, neighbors, teachers and employers. Finally, they begin to judge their behavior from the perspective of generalized other. Generalized other refers to, the perceptions and expectations of all the people with whom we interact; family members and outsiders.
