Outline and briefly evaluate the importance of the family in creating and reinforcing identity Flashcards
point 1
One way in which the family creates and reinforces identities is through children learning about social norms is by imitating their parents.
example 1
Oakley calls this process ‘canalization’ and ‘manipulation’. She shows how gender roles are socialized in the family by parents who talk differently to their children depending on their gender (‘big boys don’t cry’) and the activities they are channelled into (‘ballet is for girls’).
explain 1
This shows that the family is important in creating and reinforcing identities as it teaches children at a young age how they should act according to their gender through the process of primary socialization which will lead to the children’s identities using these values in the future.
counter 1
However some sociologists argue the importance of the peer groups in creating and reinforcing values. Hey shows how peers control each other using informal sanctions and found that they excluded and insulted peers they felt were not conforming to expectations. She found working class girls called each other ‘slags’ if they were seen as too promiscuous and so their sexual behaviour was controlled via this sanction.
point 2
Another way in which the family creates and reinforces identities is through the parents teaching their children about their own personal values and views which leads to them internalising these views which will shape their identity in the future,
example 2
Dunne shows how children brought up by a homosexual couple were more tolerant, and see sharing and equality as important features of their relationships. This shows that children are likely to learn from their parents as role models, and take on similar values.
explain 2
This shows that the family is important in creating and reinforcing identities as it gives children with norms and values that they couldn’t learn anywhere else and they internalize these norms which may mean they have different attitudes in general due to their identity.
counter 2
However some sociologists argue the importance of the education in creating and reinforcing values, Functionalists argue that the hidden curriculum teaches the value consensus, for example students learn the importance of hard work, and success through the exam system and learn the importance of conforming to rules when they get punished for being late or misbehaving.
point 3
Another way in which the family creates and reinforces identities is that children are socialized into their Ethnic identities at a young age by their parents through rules that they will tend to follow in later life.
example 3
Ghuman outlines some of the socialization practices of the first generation of Asian parents. For example
Children were brought up to be obedient, loyal to and respectful of their elders and community around them, The choice of education and marriage was to be left in the hands of their parents and the role of the mother tongue is seen as crucial in maintaining links between generations and in the transmission of religious values.
explain 3
This shows that the family is important in creating and reinforcing identities as due to children being brought up a certain way because of their ethnicity they will have an identity different to those of a different one, it this case Asians may have a more obedient and respectful identity to other ethnicities due to how they were brought up.
counter 3
However some sociologists argue the importance of the work in creating and reinforcing values, Skeggs carried out research with a group of women retraining to become health care workers. She found that as their training progressed the women were re-socialised into new behaviours. For example, although they wore skirts, high heels and make up outside of work they began to realise this was not ‘the norm’ inside of their new career and adapted their dress code to fit in.
intro
In their first years of life children spend most of their time with their parents and are highly dependent on them. A sense of security during early childhood life is often seen as crucial for developing a stable personality and for effective learning of norms and values. For this reason many argue the family is very important for creating and reinforcing identities.
