STUDENT NAME Hira imtiaz kiani

STUDENT ID 0000879105
COURSE CODE 8606
Semester autumn 2024
ASSIGMENT NO 01

Allama Iqbal
Open University
 ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

QUESTION NUMBER 01:

Discuss the role of education in promoting and preserving the culture. Also,
highlight the cultural factors which are affecting our education system. (20)

QUESTION NUMBER 02:

Discuss the role of individuals within the classroom. Give a detailed note of the
teacher’s role in managing the group behavior. (20)

QUESTION NUMBER 03:

Discuss in light of the education, how schools influence the children in bringing
up their socialization process. (20)

QUESTION NUMBER 04:

Given the choice, what kind of family would you like to live in joint family
system or a Nuclear family system and why? (20)

QUESTION NUMBER 05:

What are social agencies and how do they relate to social control? Choose a social
institution to illustrate your answer with examples. (20)
 QUESTION NUMBER 01

Discuss the role of education in promoting and preserving the

culture. Also, highlight the cultural factors which are affecting our
education system.

Answer:

Education plays a vital role in both promoting and preserving culture. It acts as a
conduit for transmitting cultural values, traditions, and knowledge from one
generation to the next. By incorporating cultural studies into the curriculum,
including history, literature, art, and music, education fosters an appreciation for
cultural heritage and instills a sense of pride in one’s cultural identity. Moreover,
education can provide individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to
contribute to the revitalization and preservation of cultural practices, such as
traditional crafts, languages, and performing arts.

Several cultural factors can significantly impact the education system. Cultural
norms and values can influence teaching styles, learning approaches, and student-
teacher interactions. For example, in some cultures, collective learning and
respect for elders are highly valued, which may require educators to adapt their
teaching methods to accommodate these cultural norms. Additionally, cultural
diversity within the classroom can present both challenges and opportunities.
Educators must be sensitive to the diverse cultural backgrounds of their students
and create an inclusive learning environment that values and respects all
cultures.

In such turbulent times, when studying seems really difficult for many people,
it’s best to keep in mind why education is so important. One thing that couldn’t
be possible without education is cultural development. Cultural development is
essential for a community’s economic growth, so when the economy is under
such a strain as it is now, it’s important to pay extra attention to cultural
development.

Here are a few ways how education affects cultural development.

Culture preservation

Perhaps the most important role of education in cultural development is cultural

preservation. In order to preserve a culture, certain cultural norms, traditions and
beliefs should be passed along to the new generations. Students in schools get to
learn their communities’ values and ethics, which is necessary for them as
members of society. If a country’s population is well-educated, there are more
people who are competent enough to create cultural artefacts that will be able to
convey the country’s beliefs and ideas, which will lead to a generation that
understands and values its culture. Shaping a culture is a process that takes at least
a few centuries and to develop as a society its important to learn from its
ancestors.

Critical Thinking
However, high-quality education shouldn’t just ensure that students know
everything that their community has already created. It should also provide young
people with the tools that are necessary for a critical assessment of the country’s
past and present. By learning from the mistakes of their ancestors, people are able
to make better decisions in the present time. Besides, critical thinking and
analytical skills are crucial for the ability and willingness to create something
new. People who are aware of their culture’s needs and distinctive features can
create new businesses and technology that will help their society evolve even
further. At the same time, someone who knows and understands their history and
culture is more likely to create art that will be representative of the country’s
current state. Finally, a good understanding of their culture is imperative for
politicians, whose job is to ensure their society’s prosperity.
Understanding diversity

In order to fully appreciate a culture and be able to reflect on it, one also needs to
be familiar with other cultures. By getting to know other cultures, people can
further strengthen the bond with their own culture and develop their cultural
identities. Other cultures can also be an example of where another culture should
be headed. By learning about prosperous countries and communities, it’s possible
to see what values and strategies they have implemented in order to get there, so
lessons can be learned from other counties. If a person grows to learn that their
own beliefs are much better aligned with another culture, they might consider
immigrating to a place where they will feel more comfortable.

However, it’s also important to respect cultures that are very different and are not
aligned with the same beliefs and principles. That’s where subjects such as
geography and history come in hand. In one way or another, every culture is a
product of its past, so knowing a place’s history can give a different perspective
on its present. Every person in the 21st century should be familiar with concepts
such as colonialism and slavery in order to understand the dynamics between
different countries and cultures. Religion is another big topic that doesn’t get
discussed enough in schools, even though understanding world religions can be
a very effective way to minimise religion-based conflicts in the future.
Multiculturalism

Since everyone is living in the age of multiculturalism, knowing about other

cultures is becoming more and more important. Many countries and cities are
home to dozens or even hundreds of different cultures at the same time, so
understanding the cultural background of other people in a community is
necessary for peaceful cohabitation. For example, students in one classroom may
all have different ideas of what kind of behaviour is acceptable, what clothing is
appropriate or what kind of food is normal. By getting familiar with other cultures
and their norms, people can also learn to become more well-rounded and tolerant
of other cultures.
 QUESTION NUMBER 02

Discuss the role of individuals within the classroom. Give a detailed note of
the teacher’s role in managing the group behavior.

Answer:

Effective classroom management is a vital skill for any teacher. We explore

what it is, why it’s needed and provide guidance on how you can sharpen
your classroom management skills from the comfort of home.

As a teacher, you need to juggle an awful lot day-to-day. In order to effectively

fulfil your duties in a confident and assuring manner, being able to manage your
classroom is essential. Classroom management is a critical skill and knowing
exactly how it works can help to ensure success, which is why we have put
together this all-you-need-to-know guide.
What Is Classroom Behavior?
Classroom behavior, as the term implies, is a complex interplay of interactions,
activities, and conducts within a learning environment, specifically within the
confines of a classroom. It represents a multitude of factors ranging from:

 The emotional state of students

 Their attitudes toward learning,
 Interpersonal skills
 Cultural norms
 Behavior tendencies.

Classroom behavior is not merely a reflection of student conduct but also

encompasses the rules, policies, and expectations set forth by the institution
and educators.

Understanding the importance of classroom behavior is crucial in shaping an

effective learning environment. It is a fundamental component of educational
psychology, with significant bearings on pedagogy, learning theories, and
educational practices. It is within the context of these behaviors that students learn
to communicate, engage, negotiate, and collaborate—all vital skills for their
development and future success.

Classroom behavior exerts a considerable influence on the learning environment.

Positive behaviors include:

 Active participation: Engaging directly with classroom activities,

discussions, and tasks.
 Respect for others: Displaying courteous and considerate behavior towards
educators and fellow students.
 Responsibility for one’s actions: Owning up to one’s decisions and
outcomes and demonstrating accountability in academic commitments.
 Adherence to classroom rules: Abiding by the guidelines and policies set
forth within the learning environment.

These positive behaviors cultivate a conducive learning atmosphere leading to

the following student outcomes:

Classroom Behavior Management

Behavior and management, although interconnected, represent two distinct facets
of the classroom environment. Behavior refers to the collection of actions,
reactions, and interactions expressed by students in the classroom. On the other
hand, behavior management, particularly classroom behavior management,
refers to the actions and strategies educators employ to influence, guide, and
regulate student behavior. It aims to foster a positive learning environment for
achieving educational goals. It actively promotes positive behaviors while
actively curbing negative ones.

Teachers can manage classroom behavior through a range of techniques

customized to suit the unique needs and dynamics of their class. The choice of
strategies often depends on factors such as:
  Age and developmental state of students
 The classroom’s physical environment
 Specific behavior issues at hand

Techniques can include the following:

 Setting clear expectations

 Setting consistent rules
 Modeling appropriate behavior
 Using engaging instructional methods
 Implementing preventative measures to preclude disruptive behavior
 Employing intervention strategies when issues arise.

Positive reinforcement is pivotal in classroom behavior management. It is a

strategy that provides a reinforcing stimulus following a desirable behavior,
thereby increasing the likelihood of its recurrence. This reinforcement can take
multiple forms:

 Verbal praise
 Increased privileges
 Tangible rewards like small toys, ‘‘classroom money’’ to spend at
classroom stores, the first choice during free time.

The goal is to strengthen positive behaviors and attitudes, encouraging students

to associate these behaviors with positive outcomes.

However, educators must actively tailor strategies to the specific needs of their
classes. Some students respond better to individual recognition, while others
thrive with group-based rewards. Some classes may require stricter rule
enforcement, while others may benefit from a more collaborative rule-making
process. Understanding these nuances and adopting a flexible approach is critical
to successful classroom behavior management.
The following key principles underpin effective classroom behavior
management:

1. Proactive Measures: Preempting behavior issues by setting clear rules,

expectations, and consequences helps maintain an orderly classroom.
2. Positive Reinforcement: Encouraging desired behaviors by rewarding
students helps to motivate them and foster a positive environment.
3. Consistency: Regular and uniform enforcement of the rules and
consequences lend predictability to the classroom, facilitating better
behavior regulation.
4. Individualized Approach: Recognizing that every student is unique and
tailoring behavior management strategies to their specific needs aids in
more effective management and increased student buy-in.
5. Empathy and Respect: Fostering an environment of mutual respect and
understanding promotes positive interactions and minimizes conflict.
Classroom Behavior Strategies
Classroom behavior strategies are fundamental to the effective management of
student conduct.
A classroom behavior plan is a structured strategy designed by educators to
encourage positive behavior and discourage negative conduct within the
classroom. This plan, which educators often craft with students, clearly outlines
behavior expectations, specifies rules that students must follow, and establishes
the consequences for rule violations.

preventative, instructional, and reinforcing. It proactively addresses potential

behavior issues before they escalate, provides clear instructions on expected
behavior, and reinforces positive conduct through rewards and incentives. These
plans are often individualized to meet the needs and dynamics of each classroom.
They can include strategies such as positive reinforcement, timeouts, loss of
privileges, and school-wide initiatives.
Examples of Behaviors in the Classroom
Classroom behaviors are a focal point in education due to their substantial impact
on academic goals. They broadly fall into two groups: ideal (positive) behaviors
and disruptive (negative) behaviors. Some examples of each with suggested
strategies for management follow.
Ideal Classroom Behaviors
Ideal classroom behaviors represent the actions and attitudes contributing to a
positive, cooperative, and productive learning environment, enhancing the
individual and collective academic experience.
 Respecting personal space: Students understand and respect the physical
boundaries of their peers and teachers.
o Strategy: A teacher might role-play scenarios where students have
to negotiate personal space.
 Raising One’s Hand: Students know to raise their hands and wait to be
acknowledged before speaking, ensuring orderly communication.
o Strategy: Consistently reinforce this behavior by only responding to
students who raise their hands and wait their turn to speak.
 Responsible Bathroom Use: Students ask for permission and follow class
procedures when needing to leave for the restroom, minimizing disruption.
o Strategy: Set clear expectations and establish a sign-out system to
manage bathroom breaks.
 QUESTION NUMBER 03

Discuss in light of the education, how schools influence the children in

bringing up their socialization process.

Answer:

Schools play a pivotal role in shaping children’s socialization processes. Beyond

academic learning, schools provide a microcosm of society where children learn
essential social skills and values. Through interactions with teachers, peers, and
the school environment, children develop crucial social competencies such as
communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and respect for others.

The school environment fosters social interaction and encourages children to

navigate group dynamics, understand social hierarchies, and develop empathy
and understanding for diverse perspectives. Schools provide opportunities for
children to learn and practice social roles, such as student, classmate, and group
member. These experiences contribute significantly to their overall social
development and prepare them to become responsible and contributing members
of society.
Socialization is nothing but a strong psychological development. Social and
cultural continuity are attained through socialization. In simple words
socialization is a process in which an individual learns how to behave and adjust
in a group( or society) like obeying rules, interacting with family and friends, or
being taught how to behave in public places, appreciate or reward for doing
chores, etc.

What Are The Agents Of Socialization?

“Agents of socialization” refers to the various individuals, groups, institutions,

and experiences that play a significant role in shaping an individual’s beliefs,
values, behavior, and social identity. These agents contribute to the socialization
process by transmitting cultural norms, social roles, and societal expectations to
individuals as they grow and develop. Agents of socialization have a profound
influence on how people perceive themselves and their roles within society. There
are several primary agents of socialization.

1. Family
2. Education
3. Peer groups
4. Mass media
5. Religious organizations
Primary socialization takes place in the family and then within groups, agencies,
schools, and media. Every individual can acquire personal identity values,
behavior, and social skills with socialization. All of these agents of socialization
work together to shape an individual’s identity, behavior, and place within
society. It’s important to recognize that the influence of these agents can vary
based on personal experiences, cultural context, and individual preferences.
Importance Of Socialization In School:

Nowadays incorporating the process of socialization at school has become

mandatory. Educating children about socialization would bring social change to
the school atmosphere. Children should learn how to interact with other people
by captivating the knowledge about the importance of social habits, traditions,
customs, beliefs, and attitudes so that they can adapt themselves to family,
neighborhood, and other social classes.

Socialization at school is a crucial aspect of a student’s overall development,

encompassing the process through which they learn to interact, communicate, and
build relationships with their peers and teachers. Here’s how socialization
typically works at school:

1.Conduct Group Activities:

Encourage each and every student to work together by conducting many

educational activities, such as group projects, presentations, and workshops. This
promotes cooperation, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, while also
fostering a sense of belonging within the group.

2.Participate In Extracurricular Activities:

Students can easily try to connect with like-minded peers who share their interests
by Joining clubs, sports teams, art groups, and other extracurricular activities.
These activities provide a platform for building self-confidence, developing
social skills, and forming lasting friendships.

3.Socialize in Break Time:

Recess and break times provide students with opportunities to socialize outside
the structured classroom environment. Students can play games, engage in
informal conversations, and form friendships during lunch and cafeteria time.
Sharing meals with classmates in the canteen or cafeteria provides opportunities
for making friends, casual conversations, and expanding social circles.

4.Change Classroom Dynamics:

Teachers often encourage debates, discussions, and ask students to share personal
experiences in the classroom. This helps students practice active listening,
understand different perspectives, and develop empathy for their peers.

5.Create Learning Environment:

Collaborative learning environments promote interactions between students of

different abilities and backgrounds. Students can learn from each other’s
strengths and support one another’s learning journeys.

6.Social Skill Curriculum:

Some schools incorporate formal social skills education into their curriculum,
teaching students about active listening, effective communication, empathy, and
other interpersonal skills.

7.Teach Cultural Diversity:

Schools often have a diverse student body, which exposes students to different
cultures, languages, and backgrounds. Interacting with peers from various
backgrounds fosters a sense of global awareness and appreciation for diversity.

8.Interaction in Classrooms:

Students interact with their classmates and teachers during classroom activities,
discussions, group projects, and lessons. These interactions help them learn
effective communication skills, express their thoughts, and collaborate with
others.

9.Conflict Resolution:

Socialization also involves learning how to handle conflicts and disagreements in

a constructive manner. Schools teach students conflict resolution skills, empathy,
and how to negotiate differences peacefully.

10.Proper Teacher Guidance:

The teacher should try to know about the aptitudes, interests, and tendencies of
the child and discuss them with the parents. This would lead to the maximum
development of children with suitable facilities. Teachers play a vital role in
facilitating socialization by creating a positive and inclusive classroom
environment. They model appropriate social behavior, provide guidance on
communication skills, and encourage students to interact respectfully.

11.Acceptance & Rejection:

Consequences are raised where there is an action. The child can learn to steal if
he is along with the thieves. But after introducing the importance of socialization
the students will realize that society would not accept if they do such activities.
Students will then know what kind of behavior is liked and accepted by society..

12.Follow Traditions:

Teaching students about traditions and their importance will increase the process
of socialization. Teachers should appreciate each and every tradition and
introduce it to children by conducting elocutions, fancy dress, or performing a
skit. The students will then get motivated and respect each other’s traditions and
get to know the importance of each and every festival.
It’s important to note that socialization at school is not limited to just these points
and can vary depending on the school’s philosophy, teaching methods, and the
specific age group of students. Ultimately, the goal of socialization at school is to
prepare students for successful interactions in the broader society and to equip
them with the skills needed to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Does Socialization At School Impact Children’s Behavior In Society?

Yes, socialization at school can have a significant impact on children’s behavior

in society. The experiences, interactions, and lessons that children have in school
play a crucial role in shaping their behavior, values, and attitudes as they grow
and develop. Here are some ways in which socialization at school can impact
children’s behavior in society:

Learn Societal Roles:

Children learn societal roles and norms through socialization, shaped by family,
peers, culture, and experiences, forming a foundation for their behavior and
interactions in society.

Develop Conscience:

Children develop a conscience through a complex process of socialization, which

involves learning and internalizing societal norms, values, and moral principles.
This process is influenced by various factors, including family, peers, culture, and
individual experiences.

Cultivating Values & Implementing Skills:

Socialization helps children cultivate values, internalize cultural norms, and

develop interpersonal skills, enabling effective communication, cooperation, and
ethical decision-making throughout their lives.
Flourish Self-concept:

Positive interactions and achievements at school can contribute to children’s self-

confidence and self-esteem. A healthy self-concept can lead to more positive
interactions and behaviors in various social settings.

Household Chores:

Children can build relationship skills by doing household chores like Preparing
meals, gardening, organizing, and cleaning. This would teach them how to take
care of themselves, and their family. They can learn teamwork, understand and
negotiate things, and also communicate clearly.

Social Interactions:

Socialization helps children to develop values and communication skills,

essential for effective relationships, cultural understanding, and integration into
society.

It should be noted that while schools play a significant role in socialization, they
are not the sole influence on children’s behavior in society. Family, media,
community, and other agents of socialization also contribute to shaping a child’s
overall development.
 QUESTION NUMBER 04

Given the choice, what kind of family would you like to live in joint
family system or a Nuclear family system and why?

Answer:

Computer systems. Business systems. Electrical systems. Plumbing systems. All

systems are composed of many different components, which are each responsible
for a specific function. At the same time, each component is dependent on the
health and performance of the other parts. In other words, if one part suffers or
fails, the rest of the system is also compromised and deemed dysfunctional. The
same holds true for a family system and its members.

What is a family system? In the simplest of terms, the most common family
system definition is a group of people who make up the same household.
However and most importantly, a family system is also characterized by
interdependence, a shared history, emotional connections, and a concern for
meeting individual and mutual needs. A family system serves this special purpose
no matter what form it takes.
Types of Family Systems
How are family systems structured? Out of what specific circumstances do they
each take shape? And what unique benefits does each family system boast? The
answers to these questions reveal clear distinctions between the different types of
family systems, which include the nuclear family, the matrifocal family,
the extended family, and the blended family.
Nuclear Family
The nuclear family is composed of an adult couple along with their biological
and/or adopted children. The couple may identify as either heterosexual or
LGBTQ+, married or unmarried. In any case, they share in the responsibility of
raising a child or children.
The nuclear family became more common in the 13th century when couples were
marrying later in life and their parents were already deceased. Though mortality
rates have risen since then, making this point moot, many people choose the
nuclear family model today to enjoy greater privacy, personal choice, and
independence apart from other family members.

Impact of Family Systems on Child Development

Children grow and develop through learning. Though some may argue that formal
educational programs are most crucial to child development, they are sorely
mistaken. Family—no matter the form it takes—is the most important source of
learning for all children.

Lesson
A family system is a household of people who not only live together but also
depend on each other for basic needs and emotional support and share a common
history. Family systems include the:

 Nuclear family, which is composed of a couple raising children together

in one household.
 Matrifocal family, which is characterized by a single mother raising
children independently.
 Extended family, which involves multiple generations living together as
a family unit.
 Blended family, which is the result of two existing families merging as
one.

EXAMPLE 1: Todd and Tammy met in college and married upon graduation.
About four years later, the couple learned they were expecting their first child.
Within five years, they became the parents of two sons named Nathan and Isaiah,
and they continue to raise the boys together in the family’s rural North Dakota
home.

EXAMPLE 2: Lisa and Andrea are a lesbian couple who began sharing a home
in their late twenties. They decided they wanted to raise a family together, so they
adopted Zachary when he was three years old. A couple of years later, they
decided to explore artificial insemination with the help of a sperm donor. Lisa
became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter named Sarah. The couple remains
unmarried.
Matrifocal Family

Another family system is the matrifocal family. At the center of a matrifocal

family is a mother, who may or may not have a relationship with the father of her
children. This type of family system may occur for a number of reasons: out of
unintentional circumstances, such as an unplanned pregnancy, divorce,
or widowhood; out of necessity when a father needs to be away from home to
work; or by a single woman’s own volition. Of course, a patrifocal family
system—when a father manages most, if not all, of the care of a family—also
happens for many of the same reasons. In cases of unmarried or divorced parents,
mothers are said to be more favored in custody agreements.

What are the benefits of a matrifocal family? Many cultures hold that men should
be the primary decision makers in families, and women should not challenge their
partners’ thoughts and actions. Thus, in the matrifocal family system, women are
empowered to take the helm and direct all of the decisions and activities of the
household. However, there is tremendous burden in raising a family as the sole
adult. Thus, personal preferences dictate the advantages and disadvantages of the
matrifocal or patrifocal family system—some people appreciate the opportunity
to leave decisions to another’s care, others crave complete independence, while
still others desire a more egalitarian living environment.
 QUESTION NUMBER 05

What are social agencies and how do they relate to social control? Choose a
social institution to illustrate your answer with examples.

Answer:

Socialization helps people learn to function successfully in their social worlds.

How does the process of socialization occur? How do we learn to use the objects
of our society’s material culture? How do we come to adopt the beliefs, values,
and norms that represent its nonmaterial culture? This learning takes place
through interaction with various agents of socialization, like peer groups and
families, plus both formal and informal social institutions.

Socialization Agents

Socialization agents are a combination of social groups and social institutions that
provide the first experiences of socialization. Families, early education, peer
groups, the workplace, religion, government, and media all communicate
expectations and reinforce norms. People first learn to use the tangible objects of
material culture in these settings, as well as being introduced to the beliefs and
values of society.

Family

Family is the first agent of socialization. Mothers and fathers, siblings and
grandparents, plus members of an extended family, all teach a child what he or
she needs to know. Familes, of course, come in all sorts of formations. Whether
the young child is living with a biological parent, adopted by their parents, or
exclusively raised by a sibling or a grandparent, this unit of family is what
socializes the young child to the world first.

For example, they show the child how to use objects (such as clothes, computers,
eating utensils, books, bikes); how to relate to others (some as “family,” others as
“friends,” still others as “strangers” or “teachers” or “neighbors”); and how the
world works (what is “real” and what is “imagined”). As you are aware, either
from your own experience as a child or from your role in helping to raise one,
socialization includes teaching and learning about an unending array of objects
and ideas.

The particular values of the family unit are central to the socialization process. If
one child is raised in a family where discussion of connections to people from all
races, religions, and ethnicities is both valued and practiced, this child is
understanding multi-culturalism as a necessary asset in society. Conversely, a
child who is raised our discussions and behaviors that explicitly favor their racial
or religious group over others, the child learns that multi-culturalism is a problem
to be avoided. These two children could be sitting next to each other in the same
preschool classroom.

Keep in mind, however, that families do not socialize children in a vacuum. Many
social factors affect the way a family raises its children. For example, we can use
sociological imagination to recognize that individual behaviors are affected by
the historical period in which they take place. Sixty years ago, it would not have
been considered especially strict for a father to hit his son with a wooden spoon
or a belt if he misbehaved, but today that same action might be considered child
abuse.

Sociologists recognize that race, social class, religion, and other societal factors
play an important role in socialization. For example, poor families usually
emphasize obedience and conformity when raising their children, while wealthy
families emphasize judgment and creativity (National Opinion Research Center
2008).

This may occur because working-class parents have less education and more
repetitive-task jobs for which it is helpful to be able to follow rules and conform.
Wealthy parents tend to have better educations and often work in managerial
positions or careers that require creative problem solving, so they teach their
children behaviors that are beneficial in these positions. This means children are
effectively socialized and raised to take the types of jobs their parents already
have, thus reproducing the class system (Kohn 1977). Likewise, children are
socialized to abide by gender norms, perceptions of race, and class-related
behaviors.

In Sweden, for instance, stay-at-home fathers are an accepted part of the social
landscape. A government policy provides subsidized time off work—480 days
for families with newborns—with the option of the paid leave being shared
between mothers and fathers. As one stay-at-home dad says, being home to take
care of his baby son “is a real fatherly thing to do. I think that’s very masculine”
(Associated Press 2011). Close to 90 percent of Swedish fathers use their
paternity leave (about 340,000 dads); on average they take seven weeks per birth
(The Economist, 2014). How do U.S. policies—and our society’s expected
gender roles—compare? How will Swedish children raised this way be socialized
to parental gender norms? How might that be different from parental gender
norms in the United States?

For example, in the United States, schools have built a sense of competition into
the way grades are awarded and the way teachers evaluate students (Bowles and
Gintis 1976). When children participate in a relay race or a math contest, they
learn there are winners and losers in society. When children are required to work
together on a project, they practice teamwork with other people in cooperative
situations. The hidden curriculum prepares children for the adult world.

Children learn how to deal with bureaucracy, rules, expectations, waiting their
turn, and sitting still for hours during the day. Schools in different cultures
socialize children differently in order to prepare them to function well in those
cultures. The latent functions of teamwork and dealing with bureaucracy are
features of U.S. culture.

Schools also socialize children by teaching them about citizenship and national
pride. In the United States, children are taught to say the Pledge of Allegiance.
Most districts require classes about U.S. history and geography. As the academic
understanding of history evolves, textbooks in the United States have been
scrutinized and revised to update attitudes toward other cultures as well as
perspectives on historical events; thus, children are socialized to a different
national or world history than earlier textbooks may have done. For example,
information about the mistreatment of African Americans and Native American
Indians more accurately reflects
On August 13, 2001, twenty South Korean men gathered in Seoul. Each chopped
off one of his own fingers because of textbooks. These men took drastic measures
to protest eight middle school textbooks approved by Tokyo for use in Japanese
middle schools. According to the Korean government (and other East Asian
nations), the textbooks glossed over negative events in Japan’s history at the
expense of other Asian countries.

Although it may seem extreme that people are so enraged about how events are
described in a textbook that they would resort to dismemberment, the protest
affirms that textbooks are a significant tool of socialization in state-run education
systems.

Peer Groups

A peer group is made up of people who are similar in age and social status and
who share interests. Peer group socialization begins in the earliest years, such as
when kids on a playground teach younger children the norms about taking turns,
the rules of a game, or how to shoot a basket. As children grow into teenagers,
this process continues.

Peer groups are important to adolescents in a new way, as they begin to develop
an identity separate from their parents and exert independence. Additionally, peer
groups provide their own opportunities for socialization since kids usually engage
in different types of activities with their peers than they do with their families.
Peer groups provide adolescents’ first major socialization experience outside the
realm of their families. Interestingly, studies have shown that although
friendships rank high in adolescents’ priorities, this is balanced by parental
influence.

The Workplace

Just as children spend much of their day at school, many U.S. adults at some point
invest a significant amount of time at a place of employment. Although socialized
into their culture since birth, workers require new socialization into a
workplace, in terms of both material culture (such as how to operate the copy
machine) and nonmaterial culture (such as whether it’s okay to speak directly to
the boss or how to share the refrigerator).

Different jobs require different types of socialization. In the past, many people
worked a single job until retirement. Today, the trend is to switch jobs at least
once a decade. Between the ages of eighteen and forty-six, the average baby
boomer of the younger set held 11.3 different jobs (U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 2014). This means that people must become socialized to, and
socialized by, a variety of work environments.

In the past dressing professionally meant wearing dress clothes to help

communicate your feelings of respect and importance about the work. Today, in
many tech companies dressing in such a way is off-putting. Many startups prefer
that their workers wear their ‘everyday’ more casual clothes, bring pets to work,
and ideally, blur the line between when they are ‘on’ and work and when they are
‘away’ from work.

Religion

While some religions are informal institutions, here we focus on practices

followed by formal institutions. Religion is an important avenue of
socialization for many people. The United States is full of synagogues, temples,
churches, mosques, and similar religious communities where people gather to
worship and learn. Like other institutions, these places teach participants how to
interact with the religion’s material culture (like a mezuzah, a prayer rug, or a
communion wafer).

For some people, important ceremonies related to family structure—like marriage

and birth—are connected to religious celebrations. Many religious institutions
also uphold gender norms and contribute to their enforcement through
socialization. From ceremonial rites of passage that reinforce the family unit to
power dynamics that reinforce gender roles, organized religion fosters a shared
set of socialized values that are passed on through society.

Government

Although we do not think about it, many of the rites of passage people go through
today are based on age norms established by the government. Individual
governments provide facets of socialization for both individuals and
groups. To be defined as an “adult” usually means being eighteen years old, the
age at which a person becomes legally responsible for him- or herself. And sixty-
five years old is the start of “old age” since most people become eligible for senior
benefits at that point.

Each time we embark on one of these new categories—senior, adult, taxpayer—

we must be socialized into our new role. Seniors must learn the ropes of Medicare,
Social Security benefits, and senior shopping discounts. When U.S. males turn
eighteen, they must register with the Selective Service System within thirty days
to be entered into a database for possible military service. These government
dictates mark the points at which we require socialization into a new category.

Mass Media

Mass media distribute impersonal information to a wide audience, via television,

newspapers, radio, and the Internet. Media contributes to socialization by
inundating us with messages about norms and expectations. With the average
person spending over four hours a day in front of the television (and children
averaging even more screen time), media greatly influences social norms
(Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 2005). People learn about objects of material culture
(like new technology and transportation options), as well as nonmaterial
culture—what is true (beliefs), what is important (values), and what is expected
(norms).
Summary

Our direct interactions with social groups, like families and peers, teach us how
others expect us to behave. Likewise, a society’s formal and informal institutions
socialize its population. Schools, workplaces, and the media communicate and
reinforce cultural norms and values.