What is Socialisation?

Understanding Socialisation

Socialisation is the process through which individuals learn and internalise the norms, values, behaviours, and social skills appropriate to their society or social group.
This process helps individuals to become functioning members of their society, as they learn what is expected of them and how to interact with others.
Primary socialisation occurs during early childhood and is primarily carried out by the family, where children first learn basic norms and values.
Secondary socialisation happens later in life and is carried out by institutions such as schools, clubs, workplaces, and the media. Here, individuals learn a greater variety of social skills and norms.
Socialisation is a life-long process, with learning continuing throughout adulthood as individuals move into new social contexts and roles.

The family is the first agent of socialisation, teaching children basic norms and values, as well as primary skills such as language and manners.
Educational institutions, like schools and universities, are important agents of socialisation, imparting cultural norms and knowledge, as well as shaping individuals’ place in the social structure.
Peer groups can significantly influence norms and behaviours, especially during adolescence when peer pressure can strongly affect individual attitudes and behaviour.
The media and technology are also significant agents of socialisation, often shaping societal norms and values.
Religion and the state can also play pivotal roles in the process of socialisation, heavily influencing individuals’ beliefs and values.

Socialisation shapes our individual identity, influencing how we see ourselves and how we relate to others.
Through the process of socialisation, society’s norms and values become internalised within the individual, guiding their behaviours and attitudes.
It plays a key role in the transmission of culture across generations, ensuring cultural continuity.
The socialisation process impacts the functioning of society, because it establishes common values and norms that govern behaviour.
Deviance can emerge when individuals reject or fail to internalise societal norms, raising the potential for conflict and societal change.

Functionalists view socialisation as essential for societal harmony and stability, as it ensures that individuals accept and uphold shared norms and values.
Conflict theorists, such as Marxists, view socialisation as a way for powerful groups to impose their values and norms on others, reinforcing existing social inequalities.
Symbolic interactionists focus on the social interactions that shape the process of socialisation, highlighting how individuals actively construct their social world.
Feminist theories highlight how socialisation reinforces gender roles and inequalities, with different social expectations for men and women from an early age.
Postmodernist theories argue that socialisation is becoming increasingly complex and fragmented with the proliferation of media and technology.