Primary & Secondary Socialisation

Define Socialisation

The way in which we learn norms and values in our society

Explain primary socialisation

• the first stage of socialisation

• occurs in infancy

• intense period of cultural learning

• children learn language in this period

• acceptable behaviour and social skills taught by primary caregivers

• it is characterised by close emotional ties

Explain Secondary Socialisation

• takes place later in childhood

• children adapt to the wider world

• they learn to related to different people in various ways

• schools, clubs, churches, peers and media become means of socialising

• social interactions help the children learn norms and values

• this stage is less about emotional ties and more about developing appropriate skills, knowledge and attitudes toward society.

List the agents of Socialisation

• The Family

• Schooling

• Peer group

• Mas

Explain the role of the family as an agent of socialisation

• child develops first phsyical skills such as walking and intellectual skills like counting.

• Children learn consciously and unconsciously from parents

• Parents place the child in society in terms of race, ethnicity, religion and class

• the child requires warmth, security and mutual support which can only be provided by family

Explain the role of schooling as an agent of socialisation

• child is not regarded as a unique individual

• child is required to meet specific standards, follow rules and behave like their peers

• school emphasises how well the child performs

• Child learns how to read and write as well as how to be punctual

• At school children will meet other children from different backgrounds

Explain the role of Peer groups as an agent of socialisation 

• allows children to escape from direct supervision

• allows greater independence and autonomy

• They can discuss certain topic more freely

• Influence of peer group increases with age, peaking during adolescence

• Positive peer relationships are associated with a better mental health

• Adolescents want to “fit in” with their peers

Mass media

• children can be socialised through the media they consume

• Media is overly selective and tend to distort the true image of society