FOUNDATION OF EDUCATION :: AGENCIES OF SOCIALIZATION

In our previous blog we discussed in detail regarding Social change & Social stratification. Today, through this blog we will discuss yet another important factor, it's the Socialization.

 

SOCIALIZATION: 

 It can be defined as the process of adaptation by the individual to the conventional patterns of behaviour. It is a social process. It is through the process of socialization that he/she is transformed from the animal into the human. It gives him/her a balanced personality. Socialization teaches an individual to retain control over him/her in the interest of others. The survival of any society depends upon the degree of homogeneity amongst its members. Socialization reinforces the bindings and this homogeneity by fixing in the child from the beginning the essential aspects that life demands of. These essential life ingredients are transmitted through the family, school, temple/ mosque/ church, peer group, market, mass media and so forth. An important part which need to be understood here is to teach the future generation things and behaviour which is acceptable and not acceptable in the contrary of society.

AGENCIES OF SOCIALIZATION: 

The Family: The family and the members in the family play a very vital and important role towards the basic learning of a child. After his birth when he starts his first learning, it is basically from the members of the family i.e. Mother, Father, siblings and others. Family provides an individual with the basic amenities of his everyday living, medicines, food, shelter, clothing and further other needs (including reproduction). It is very important to provide and teach an individual with social values, morals, desirable character, traits, behavioral aspects and attitude which helps him to integrate with the society. Family acts as the first stage or foundation of socialization. A child learns language, intellectual things from the elders of the family, with this he gets acquainted also with vocational skills. These helps in the personality and character development of the child.

The School: After home, the maximum learning happens at the school. The role of school and teachers are very vital. It socializes the child; the school in itself is a small society. The school help him in bringing up the hidden potentialities, capabilities, motives. The school help the kid in understanding the society and how he can derive his energy to the best to be a part of it. The school teaches him knowledge and discipline. Sometimes too much of strictness may lead to negativity. Through co-curricular activities school sharpen the talents and through sports it teaches the spirit of a true sportsman and help build in leadership qualities. Here all should understand the fact that it is not always the responsibility of the school, rather the first teaching should start from home. If kids come from strong, healthy functioning families, it makes School’s job easier. If they do not come from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes teacher’s job more important.

The Peer Group: The peer group is the child's own friends and equals with similar drives, motives and interests. Peer group influences a lot, they with siblings are a part of teaching informal way of education. Peer groups can impact positively or negatively on the mind of a child. Proper choice will help the child to move in a good direction. In the present scenario, it is the responsibility of the parents to keep a constant watch on the peer group. In this super-fast generation and busy schedule, Parents need to talk to their children to find out what is bothering them or what is that they are learning from their peer, being vigilant will even help the Parents to understand the needs of their child.  A constant watch both from the Parents and school is required. 

Religion: Religion might be described as reflection of man's attempt to explain those aspects of his environment which he cannot understand. Except in terms of the supernatural aspects: 

1. What is the purpose of life? 
2. What happens to people after they die?

In our society as in many others, people's religious beliefs are founded on the idea that God is the supernatural power responsible for the creation of life. They believe that God created us for a purpose and we need to behave to fulfil the purpose of God, because of this religious beliefs gives rise to a certain type of behaviour. People following a specific religion have a similar type of attitude and opinions. Hence, religious institutions help in the socialization of the members of the society. We have many Prophets of religions say Sankaracharya, Mullahs, Caliphs, Maharishis who demonstrate the highest level of morality. It is worthwhile if they teach authentic facts in their written liturgies and not the manipulations to suit their personal interest and desires.
 

 Mass Media: It is one of the agent of socialization, it has its own technical characteristics. There are two types of mass media namely, print and electronic. These two differ from each other because of technical characteristics. Children meet these two types and a variety of message is passed through the mass media. Children in their leisure time should be taught to use these in the best way by discouraging the cultivation of negative ideas and thought.

Children are like white chalks; their hearts and mind are like white sheets of papers. Whatever you want them to become and learn, fill in them those colours. They are very quick in learning and absorbing things, which can be full of morals or immoral.  Socialization and the agencies of socialization clearly explain us how much it helps in understanding the society. The agencies of Socialization School, Family, Peer group, Religion, Media all together have a strong influence on the life of a growing bud. We should not forget here the famous saying “As you sow, so you reap”. We all are equally responsible for the growth of an individual. 

In my teaching experience, I have seen few of my children sharing violence they observe at home. Innocent minds thinking so much about things they see, which should not bother their tender growth. Learning strengthens when we visualize things practically. What they see, they learn. I have my own toddler who repeats things often, that I speak to her. As per the research, kids learn many things from the womb of a mother. We have even learnt about the story of Abhimanyu from Mahabharata, who heard  the pathway to enter in the chakravyuha.

These days Media has got a special role to play in the life of an individual. Media presents both the decent and the evil content. It is entirely dependent on the individual and his/her interest as well as exposure. Parents need to make a constant observation at those things, as they spend most of the time with their kids post school. 

Recently a video came in the light regarding a baby walking soon after birth. Many people called the baby a miracle; but this is scientifically due to the reflexes. It might have happened in the past but this is the power of the media that it created lot of buzz on YouTube.

The entire Education system has changed from them to now. Kids are having a huge exposure to the knowledge and information. They are learning so many things at a smaller age. The curriculum is designed and redesigned to cater the needs of the growing mindset. Anything in more quantity can be dangerous. Whatsoever, Parents can help the children to walk in the direction of aspects that help our society and nature. 

The recent Rally for Rivers, is indeed a wonderful step for saving the rivers of our country. Encouraging the children for good and helping them understand these things which help in sustainable development is the need of the hour.  This indeed will go a long way to create the knowledge that we really want them to absorb. 

Rally For Rivers is a campaign launched by Isha Foundation in 2017 to tackle the scarcity of water across all the rivers in India. It was aimed to create awareness on protecting rivers. The campaign was launched by Sadhguru. He is a yogi, a mystic, a poet, a wonderful teacher; who has taken an initiative towards our Mother Earth.

Sadhguru started the campaign on September 3 from Isha Yoga Center, Coimbatore; addressing a gathering of more than 10000 people at Isha Yoga Centre about the importance of water as one of the most fundamental requirements for life. 

Teaching the kids this for the future is the need of the hour, we need to break the boundaries of the routine classroom and teach something which is important for our existence on Earth. 

Socialization is a very powerful tool!! We need to use it more practically and appropriately. Teaching is the one noble profession, which creates all the other professions. It is a responsibility.

Through this blog I extend my love and respect for all the wonderful teachers out there!!

A Happy Teacher's Day!!