Primary socialization

Primary socialization in sociology is the period early in a person's life during which they initially learn and develop themselves through experiences and interactions. This process starts at home through the family, in which one learns what is or is not accepted in society, social norms, and cultural practices that eventually one is likely to take up. Primary socialization through the family teaches children how to bond, create relationships, and understand important concepts including love, trust, and togetherness.[1] Agents of primary socialization include institutions such as the family, childhood friends, the educational system, and social media. All these agents influence the socialization process of a child that they build on for the rest their life. These agents are limited to people who immediately surround a person such as friends and family—but other agents, such as social media and the educational system have a big influence on people as well.[2] The media is an influential agent of socialization because it can provide vast amounts of knowledge about different cultures and society. It is through these processes that children learn how to behave in public versus at home, and eventually learn how they should behave as people under different circumstances; this is known as secondary socialization.[3] A vast variety of people have contributed to the theory of primary socialization, of those include Sigmund Freud, George Herbert Mead, Charles Cooley, Jean Piaget and Talcott Parsons. However, Parsons' theories are the earliest and most significant contributions to socialization and cognitive development.

  1. ^ Whitbeck, Les B. (1999). "Primary Socialization Theory: It All Begins with the Family". Substance Use & Misuse. 34 (7): 1025–1032. doi:10.3109/10826089909039394. PMID 10359220.
  2. ^ Gonzalez Almagro, Ignacio (January 1993). "Socialization: An Interactive Process". RS, Cuadernos de Realidades Sociales (41–42): 227–246.
  3. ^ Kelly, Kathleen (1999). "Media and Primary Socialization Theory". Substance Use & Misuse. 34 (7): 1033–1045. doi:10.3109/10826089909039395. PMID 10359221.