Socialisation

Question 0

Describe ‘family’ as an agent of socialisation

Answer 0

Primary socialisation (varies, as families vary): parents may be role models; use informal social control such as grounding; children may copy and imitate behaviour (eg gender appropriate behaviour, A Oakley); develops identity eg social class

Question 1

What are the six agents of socialisation?

Answer 1

Family - primary

Education, peers, media, religion, work - secondary

Question 2

Describe ‘peers’ as an agent of socialisation

Answer 2

Secondary socialisation. May form subcultures - for a sense of identity; peer pressure as informal social control; often of similar age or status (Tony Sewell - ‘cultural comfort zones’).

Question 3

Describe ‘education’ as an agent of socialisation

Answer 3

Secondary socialisation, uses formal and informal social control, peer groups highly influential. Formal and hidden curriculum (Althusser). Functionalists see education as a bridge which fairly allocates children

Question 4

Describe media as an agent of socialisation

Answer 4

Secondary socialisation. May stigmatise groups eg ethnic minorities, Postmodernists see society as media saturated which brings more choices. Gaye Touchman said women are portrayed in a narrow range of sexist roles.

Question 5

Describe work as an agent of socialisation

Answer 5

Secondary socialisation. Formal and informal social control - eg rules vs social exclusion. ‘Canteen culture’ studied by Waddington, feminists feel work is patriarchal, Marxists think the workplace is unfair whereas Functionalists believe the workplace is meritocratic

Question 6

Describe religion as an agent of socialisation

Answer 6

Secondary socialisation. Shapes moral values (even in wider society) and shapes sense of identity. Secularisation refers to society becoming less religious. Some ethnic minorities see religion as more important (Modood). Feminists argue that religion is patriarchal.