Agents of Socialization
FAMILY
– HAS THE GREATEST
IMPACT ON
SOCIALIZATION
– THE FIRST TO TEACH
SKILLS, VALUES, &
BELIEFS
– EVEN TEENS CONTINUE
TO PLACE THEIR
GREATEST TRUST IN
THEIR PARENTS
THE FAMILY
Civic Participation
Political Action
Apathy
Voting
Political Party Affiliation
News/Current Events
Cont…
CLASS POSITION SHAPES NOT ONLY HOW
MUCH MONEY PARENTS HAVE TO SPEND
BUT ALSO WHAT THEY EXPECT FROM
THEIR CHILDREN.
– PEOPLE OF LOWER SOCIAL STANDING
USUALLY HAVE LIMITED EDUCATION &
PERFORM ROUTINE JOBS UNDER CLOSE
SUPERVISION.
– THEY EXPECT THE SAME FOR THEIR KIDS.
– Parents Apathy in Politics=Children’s Apathy in
Politics
ON THE OTHER HAND…
WELL-OFF PARENTS, WITH MORE
SCHOOLING, USUALLY HAVE JOBS
THAT DEMAND IMAGINATION AND
PROVIDE FOR MORE PERSONAL
FREEDOM.
– THEREFORE, THESE PARENTS TRY TO
INSPIRE THE SAME QUALITIES IN
THEIR CHILDREN.
– Parent’s interest in politics=Children’s
interest in politics
THE MEDIA
Televison, Interwebs, Twitter, The FB
Diversity Lessons
Social and Political Agenda
Voting Practices
Information
Skewing Perception/ The Spin
“If it bleeds, it leads”
THE SCHOOL
Schooling enlarges children’s social world
to include people with backgrounds very
different from their own.
Teach a wide range of knowledge and
skills
“THE HIDDEN CURRICULUM” HONORING
COMPETITION, ACADEMIC SUCCESS,
SOCIETAL VALUES, PATRIOTISM ETC.
SCHOOLS
ARE MOST CHILDREN’S FIRST
EXPERIENCE WITH BUREAUCRACY
– Run on impersonal rules
– A strict time schedule
– Just a number mentality
– I don’t count
– These being the hallmark of
organizations that they will be involved
with later in life.
RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION
Impact on Politics=How religious you
are
Obama V. McCain
Conservative v. Liberal
Religion
PEER GROUPS
By the time they enter school, kids
have discovered the peer group: A
social group whose members have
interest, social position, and age in
common.
UNLIKE FAMILY & SCHOOL, THE
PEER GROUP LETS CHILDREN
ESCAPE THE DIRECT SUPERVISION
OF ADULTS.
Political and Community Leaders
President
Fire or Police Chief
Endorsements from Respected
Members
Region
Where you live affects your politics
Urban v. Suburban v. Rural
North v. South
West Coast v. East Coast
Demographics
Race
Gender~ Gender Gap
Age~ Generational Effect
The Graying of America
– Fastest growing age group is over 65
– Potential drain on Social Security
– “Gray Power
Turnout by Age