Agencies of Socialisation - Family

Question 1

what are agencies of socialisation?

Answer 1

are the agencies that socialise us agencies = institutions, groups, important people in our life

Question 2

what is family as an agency of socialisation?

Answer 2

agency of socialisation through idea of primary socialisation
- introduces you to basic norms/values of society
Parsons: nuclear family is most effective form of family living for socialising children
- this sort of socialisation is particularistic (parsons) = your family socialises you into your particular take on society’s norms/values later is internalised

Question 3

examples of family socialisation?

Answer 3

• learning language
• potty training
• self-control = through discipline at home eg. naughty step
• gender roles = observe parents behaviour and become socialised into your expectations of masculine and feminine roles

Question 4

EVAL of family as an agency of socialisation - functionalist view

Answer 4

positive view - worries that nuclear family under threat
eg. in UK 78,000 fewer marriages in 2017 than in 1991

Question 5

EVAL of family as an agency of socialisation - marxist view

Answer 5

Zaretsky argues family trains children to accept capitalism

Question 6

EVAL of family as an agency of socialisation - feminist view

Answer 6

Oakley argues family trains children into oppressive gender roles
- childhood games + activities cause us to accept these gender roles as normal and natural