AIOU B. Ed Citizenship Education and Community Engagement (8606) | Solved Assignment 1.
Q. 4
Explain the functions of different agencies in socialization. Determine the role and responsibilities of teacher in socialization.
Answer
Meaning of Socialization
The meaning of the term socialization varies from content to content and community to community. Therefore some of the definitions are presented below:
Socialization is the process whereby individuals are made aware of behaviors that are expected of them with regards to the norms, beliefs, attitudes, and values of the society in which they live.
Socialization refers to the ways in which people learn to conform to their society's norms, values, and roles.
Socialization – the process by which an individual learns how to interact with others and becomes a member of society. Socialization is a complex, lifelong process. We are all products of our social experience.
The process by which individuals acquire the knowledge, language, social skills, and value to conform to the norms and roles required for integration into a group or community. It is a combination of both self-imposed (because the individual wants to conform) and externally imposed rules and the expectations of the others. In an organizational setting, socialization refers to the process through which a new employee learns the ropes,' by becoming sensitive to the formal and informal power structure and the explicit and implicit rules of behavior. See also organizational culture and orientation.
Socialization is the process by which children and adults learn from others. We begin learning from others during the early days of life, and most people continue their social learning all through life (unless some mental or physical disability slows or stops the learning process). Sometimes the learning is fun, as when we learn a new sport, art or musical technique from a friend we like. At other times, social learning is painful, as when we learn not to drive too fast by receiving a large fine for speeding.
Socialization is a gradual process of learning. The newborn child is not taught all the things about social life at once. It proceeds from simplicity to complexity. During the early stages of life (infancy and childhood) socialization takes place within the 'simple' limited social world. Gradually this social world becomes broader and broader and the child is confronted with several things to learn and adjust
Socialization is the process by which human beings as material organisms living with other material organisms must learn to pattern their behavior and adapt it to the ways of acting that are considered appropriate to that society in which they live. Basically, it's how you learn how to act.
The general process of acquiring culture is referred to as socialization. During socialization, we learn the language of the culture we are born into as well as the roles we are to play in life.
Socialization is the means by which human infants begin to acquire the skills necessary to perform as a functioning members of their society, and is the most influential learning process one can experience.
Socialization is a general term for many different ways and processes by which children come to be able to function as members of their social community. It is in part a process of learning and in part a process of being taught, but modern views of socialization also stress the active role of children in making sense of their social world and constructing their own ways of being part of their social group. There are also strong predispositions, visible even in very young infants, to engage and interact with other people in preference to all the other objects in the world. Infants seem to be born as social beings.
Socialization, the process whereby an individual learns to adjust to a group (or society) and behave in a manner approved by the group (or society). According to most social scientists, socialization essentially represents the whole process of learning throughout the life course and is a central influence on the behavior, beliefs, and actions of adults as well as children.
Socialization is also a long, drawn-out process and in some respects can continue throughout our whole lifetime: for example when adults find themselves interacting with people from unfamiliar cultures. Even when we join a new social group in our own culture there may be a need to adjust to new ways of behaving.
Agencies of Socialization
Agencies of socialization are categorized into two as primary and secondary. Primary agents familiarize a child with society and family is a crucial primary agent of socialization. Secondary agents or agencies familiarize a child with an organized place or institution and it is more systematic than primary agents of socialization. The best example is none other than the school wherein there is a particular set of rules and regulations to be followed. Family, school, peer groups, mass media, education institutions, workplaces, religion, and politics are key agents of socialization.
Family
Family is the most important and crucial institution of socializing a child. Soon after the birth, a child has to be with the mother and the child learns particular behavioral patterns from her. Of course, this is a crucial experience in his/her life. Subsequently, he/she learns to interact with other members/individuals in the family. Activities such as sucking milk, smiling, carefulness, and tottering are important in primary socialization. The infant gets fulfilled all physical and psychological needs within the family itself. Child-rearing practices such as nutrition, sleeping, and use of toilets are to be trained at home. However, all these practices keep changing from society to society. In Asian countries these practices are experienced with simplicity and relaxation on the contrary rigid practices are followed in western countries since in western countries such as Britain, France, Germany, etc, the mother does not be with the child for a long period of time. However, Asian mother stays with the child for a long period in comparison to western mother. In addition to child-rearing practices, rewarding, threatening, punishing, bargaining, and pleading help to socialize a particular child. The intention of all these methods is to make the child conformed to society. As far as sociologists are concerned, early childhood experiences affect personality development. Both love and affection of parents strongly influence the development of his personality. At the same time, lack of warmth, love, and affection form an affectionless figure or personality. When a particular individual has both over-affection, he becomes an unbalanced character. The individual who has excessive love and affection is not self-confident while those who are rejected can be harmful to society.
School
The school is another important and crucial agent of socialization. The child who has been with the family for years extends his relationship with the outer society through school. The child receives his school education from six to eighteen years. The school is known as a microsystem and it is an institution where learning takes place and individuals develop. The school provides the intellectual and social experiences from which individuals develop knowledge, skills, customs, beliefs, interests, and attitudes that characterize them and shape their abilities to perform adult roles.
However, the provision of good members to society is the objective of education. Subject knowledge which is being taught by a set of teachers is exclusively a new experience.
However, just after the admission to the school emotional bond and relationship the child had with the family and its members keeps reducing. The child is able to develop his skills through the new environment. At the same time, he has the ability to identify the school as a place where his ideas and activities are appreciated and admired. The rewards he receives as appreciation, commendation, etc, may influence the formation of his personality. Imitation affects the formation of the personality of an individual. The child has the opportunity to associates closely with the teacher in subject-oriented activities and in extracurricular activities. He is motivated to imitate his teachers. The personality of the child is formed by following and imitating not only external characteristics of teachers such as accent, behavior, handwriting, etc but also their ideas and opinions as well.
Peer Groups
A peer group is a social group consisting of people who are equal in such respects as age, education, or social class. Friendship groups and age grades are also known as peer groups. In course of a child's growth, he is motivated to be with friends of his age. It is mainly prominent from teen ages to adulthood. The socialization that takes place with peers is different from those of the family and school. Similar tastes, likes, dislikes, and ideas influence the formation of such groups.
Those who like sports and music get together and form into groups is such an example. In peer groups, the child acquires a greater understanding in respect of conforming to laws and regulations. The child who does not conform to standard laws and regulations is rejected with ease from his group. Not being able to abide by the rules and regulations of the sports team and being unable to obey the order of its leader may be subjected to ejection. According to the ideas and activities of the members, certain controlling methods such as commending, accepting, punishing, or rejecting are operative within a group.
Children who are disobedient to their children may be subjected to the ideas and control of such groups. Peer groups are important as a place wherein an individual could discuss certain issues, problems, and matters which cannot be discussed with their adults in the family or school. Owing to movement with peers, a particular individual is able to solve certain problems. Socialization takes place by imitating the individuals who are appreciated by the peer group as well. Things such as accent, fashions, hairstyles, ways of behavior, etc, are often imitated. In peer groups, there may be certain notions that are mismatched with the norms of the adults. It can be a reason for creating conflicts between the two groups. Now and then there are situations in which such groups formed can be mismatched with the society and culture. A friendship group abusing intoxicants or drugs is a group that is incompatible with the culture of the society. The socialization that takes place by peer groups may strongly affect the formation of the personality of an individual.
Mass Media
Theorists, like Parsons, and textbook authors, like Ely Chinoy (1960), and Harry M. Johnson (1961), recognized that socialization didn't stop when childhood ended. They realized that socialization continued on into adulthood, but they treated it as a form of specialized education. Johnson (1961), for example, wrote about the importance of inculcating members of the US Coastguard with a set of values so as to respond to commands and act in unison without question. Some scholars accused theorists of socialization of not recognizing the importance of the mass media which, by the middle of the twentieth century, was becoming more significant as a social force.
There was concern about the link between television and the education and socialization of children, a concern that continues today, but when it came to adults, the mass media were regarded merely as sources of information and entertainment, rather than molders of personality. Some sociologists and theorists of culture have recognized the power of mass communication as a socialization device. Dennis McQuail recognizes the argument: … the media can teach norms and values by way of symbolic reward and punishment for different kinds of behavior as represented by the media. An alternative view is that it is a learning process whereby we all learn how to behave in certain situations, and with the expectations which go with a given role or status in society.
Thus, the media are continually offering pictures of life and models of behavior in advance of actual experience. (McQuail 2005: 494) However, the most important agent of socialization for the development of the child is the mass media. Mass Media are the different processes that facilitate communication between the sender of a message and the receiver of that message. It plays an important role in the socialization of children. In fact, there are many types of media; these include newspapers, magazines, radio, films, CDs, the Internet, and television. These kinds of media, especially television, affect children's and adult's behavior in different ways. Having mass media as one of our major agents of socialization could be very hard on our society today. When watching different TV shows, seeing all those actors and actresses with these great figures hurts many people in society today. In other ways watching TV could be a good thing when an actor or actress is on TV in different shows or music. It could bring many good things like being a role model for an adolescent teenager who wants someone to look up to. Having these agents is a great guideline for people who want to start with a great start with their children or want to be a good communicator. The average family in the United States has at least one television turned on for at least seven hours a day. Television is the biggest mass media in a country and has positive and negative aspects.
There are some programs which are very helpful with lots of information for the children. For example; on channel thirty-three, there is a good program called "Dora, the Explorer". Children can learn to speak Spanish and also do things such as singing, standing up, and pronouncing words in English. On the same channel, there is also a program called "Blue's Clues". In this program, children learn how to think, sing and discover clues. When children watch these programs, they are not the same people anymore because they can become more knowledgeable. These programs are very good because they change children's minds and make the children different from what they were before.
However, there are also television programs that affect children negatively which have too much violence, and unfortunately, children love it. Children should not see these kinds of programs because children tend to imitate the fighters. In addition, there are some movies that have a lot of violence and unwanted words and children love these kinds of movies. Children like and learn how to use knives, guns, and explosives because they watch it on TV. Sometimes children take the role of their superheroes in real life because they see their favorite actors using these weapons. For example; when children watch the actor stealing a car on TV, they learn from it and they also want to steal because they want to be like their superheroes.
Other agencies of socialization
People are also influenced by other agencies of socialization as well. The other most predominant agent amongst them is religion. Religion or religious conviction forms social and cultural patterns for individuals. The manner in the Muslims dress is not the way for other religious groups. Any religion inculcates moral values such as love and compassion for others. Religions do not permit anyone to engage in adultery and theft and robberies. Also, scouts, youth organizations, the military, and employment settings are some agents of socialization. In some countries, military training is even given to ordinary youths recruited for some other professions since it helps to produce individuals with discipline.
The Role of Teacher in socialization
Schools are one of the first places where a kid's behavior and future educational success are shaped. Teachers are carriers of either positive or negative behavior toward students. The reason why the first years of school are so critical is that kids learn the basics of their educational life. Teachers must love their career to pass enthusiasm, to assist, and to provide a warm environment to the students. Teachers are the second mothers for the students because students spend a lot of time with their teachers. At the same time, a real teacher comes through many years of training and experience in the field. In the same way, mothers are not born great mothers but as their experiences with their kids expand, they become experts on the field. We know that mothers look the best for their kids and one of their goals is to raise their kids so they can become professionals and pioneers for society. Some of the mother’s role toward kids is to give them care, love, respect, lead, instruct and try to form a safe and pleasant environment at their homes.
A teacher is someone who comes through many years of training and experience in the field. It is urgent for everyone who is a teacher or is planning to become one to get prepared in the field the best they can. All teachers who get prepared will know how to set up rules in the classroom. Those kinds of teachers will probably have fewer problems in their classroom because they will be able to control the classroom. A teacher carries a big responsibility in her classroom. One reason is that all students depend on her/him. Everything the teacher says will have an impact on the students. If the teacher feels joy or feels anger, it will be spread among children because the attitude of the teacher gets contagious. If the teacher laughs, students also laugh, why? Because teachers are responsible for the social behavior in the classroom. If something goes wrong the only responsible is the teacher even if it was not their fault. The teacher must create a warm and protective environment but at the same time, that approach should be professional.
If students feel secure in the classroom the result will be shown in the academic progress. A good start could be mutual trust with each student. Teachers have the responsibility to know his/her students in the classroom. Each day, the teachers show one of their attitudes that the students are unaware of. Also, the students do the same in order for the teacher to get to know them, too. This is a good exercise to do because it benefits the whole class to break the ice. The first few days most of the students are afraid of the teacher because they do not know the teacher’s personality.
It will change until the point that the teacher and students discover they have common hobbies with each other. Sometimes, the teacher’s caring attitudes could have a long positive or negative influence on students. Student’s self-esteem could be lifted because it could create ambitions in their minds for future academic success. Psychologically, students could be affected if they have problems with their teachers. One of the results could be that students will avoid going to school. As professional teachers, we do not want any conflict with the students. Sometimes, the behavior of students demonstrates that something is not going right. Therefore, I think teachers must pay attention to any suspicious signs that could bother the student.
As teachers, our responsibility is to find out what is going on with the students in the classroom. Kids deep in their hearts feel that teachers could help them but sometimes they are afraid to ask the teacher. This issue is very common in school. The students prefer to talk to their friends about their problems and sometimes teachers are the last person to find out about the problem. Sometimes it is the teacher’s fault that students do not seek his/her help because sometimes the teachers do not form a bond of communication. The teacher must let students know how she feels when students do not trust her, maybe it would help students to change their minds about telling the teacher his/her problem. Often, there is a debate about if a teacher should be a role model for students. Teachers are being respected by society because they are viewed as knowledgeable about different subjects of school. Even if teachers do not like to be pointed out as being role models, it is certainly true. Teachers have the qualities to be or become role models for students. Why? Because most teachers respect, love, care, instruct and guide their students to become successful people. Students view teachers as being wise therefore they look up to them.
It’s never too late to start a relationship between teacher and students. As humans, sometimes teachers do things that are not correct, however, we always have another chance to do it better. It is believed that teachers need to show respect, care, become role models, make a pleasant environment, treat students right, instruct them but not be totalitarian, and guide them through the road to success. The only people who get the benefits are the students and sometimes it could be negative or positive. A teacher is someone considered as an ideal self or a role model by children. Children see these role models in their parents and also in teachers. Both have a powerful and lasting impact on the behavior and attitudes of children.
Students know that if they need something they just need to ask them. Kids learn from every lesson the teacher gives. At the same time, students should not look to their teacher to copy them but rather to compare and to see the mistakes to not do them in our lives. Students should concentrate on doing their work and being proud of the way they are. It is essential and crucial for teachers to be prepared because the first years of school are very important for the students. The future education success of the students depends on their first years.
It is difficult to say when this influence starts and when it actually stops. What we know is that impressions form throughout the school years and last a lifetime. It is therefore very important that teachers demonstrate qualities that impress children and they become examples of ideal self for children. Teachers have a responsibility to demonstrate the highest examples of acceptable behavior, be it in class or outside the classroom. In other words, teachers must walk the talk. In classrooms, we impart knowledge to shape young minds, their attitude, their beliefs, values, and their current and future behavior. Our objective should be to produce good citizens well-grounded in Islamic teachings, values, culture, and beliefs- ready to be a member of a responsible society. We know the lasting, deep, and permanent impressions formed by teachers on young minds.
To be a successful role model, teachers must demonstrate the highest examples in a number of attributes. Honesty is a key attribute that excellent teachers possess. Teachers must be honest in all the interactions and dealings with children. Teachers should never discriminate among children or play favoritism. These are two highly undesirable behaviors that all successful teachers must avoid at all times. A teacher who is seen to be discriminatory or favoring certain children is eroding the motivation and the respect of other children. Such teachers will find it difficult to discharge their responsibilities and earn the respect of the children that are in their care. Another quality that we seek in a successful teacher is affection. Being human beings we all need love and affection.
So what are the qualities or attributes that we would like to see in teachers who are in charge of influencing or modeling our children? How do we become role models as teachers? There are a number of ways that we can act as role models. For example, punctuality is something that we all should value. A teacher who is repeatedly late to classes will find it difficult to convince the students of the value of this behavior. Similarly, a teacher who appears ill-prepared will find it hard to convince the students of the importance of being organized.
Children are no exception. Hence, teachers must be affectionate to all the children in their care. It is said that it is the love and affection that children get in this stage of their life that makes them lovable and affectionate human beings later in life. The third quality of a good role model is that teachers should know his or her subject matter. Children expect teachers to be a source of knowledge and information. This is an attribute that cannot be underestimated. Children by their nature have a longing for learning and seek answers to various questions. Teachers should know that children do not take much time to assess the capacity of a teacher. Hence, the teachers must be current with their knowledge and information through continuous learning and development and by being prepared for class. A teacher should never pretend to know the answer to something he or she does not know. This could be seen as an example of being dishonest. Teachers who admit their limitations will also be teaching children the value of being honest and the importance of accepting human limitations, instead of simply justifying their own actions or behavior.
A good role model also should respect and be appreciated for the problems that children go through in their life. Many children bring into classrooms problems that take place elsewhere. Good teachers should be willing to listen to children's problems and be willing to offer guidance and help wherever possible. In cases, where a teacher is unable to provide further support, a teacher should encourage seeking professional help either in the school or externally. When children know that they can trust and confide in the teachers, they develop confidence and try to address their problems, instead of keeping the problems to themselves.
This is very important for the emotional well-being of the children and makes them motivated learners. Also, in a technology-friendly world, a teacher should be a role model for the acceptable use of technological equipment such as mobile phones. Technology tends to break the traditionally accepted norms and behaviors in society. For instance, playing music on a bus/ferry loudly is unacceptable as it tends to disturb the privacy of others on the bus/ferry. Likewise, talking loud or simply using the mobile phone in a certain space can be a nuisance to the others who use/share the same space, e.g. a hospital ward.
Specific Role of Teacher
Teachers are the second mothers for the students because students spend a lot of time with their teachers.
Teachers must love their career to pass enthusiasm, to assist, and to provide a warm environment to the students.
Teachers are carriers of either positive or negative behavior toward students.
The teacher must create a warm and protective environment but at the same time be professional.
A teacher carries a big responsibility in her classroom. One reason is that all students depend on her/him.
A teacher is someone who comes through many years of training and experience in the field.
Sometimes, the behavior of students demonstrates that something is not going right. Therefore, the teachers must pay attention to any suspicious signs that could bother the student.
Sometimes, the teacher’s caring attitudes could have a long positive or negative influence on students.
Teachers have a responsibility to demonstrate the highest examples of acceptable behavior, be it in class or outside the classroom
The teachers must let students know how he/she feels when students do not trust in her. Maybe it would help students to change their minds about telling the teacher his/her problem.
A teacher is someone considered as an ideal self or a role model by children.
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