Introduction
To Sociology Socialization Paper
The Socialization paper should consist of between 4 to 5 pages, typed or printed, double-spaced, with references documented where appropriate.
This paper can be done in two basic sections; with the first part analyzing how the socialization process impacted your own development, and the second part concentrating on reflecting on what you perceive as being "good" about the process and your culture and/or subculture(s), as well as what you would change, or do differently, when you are involved in the political socialization of others (i.e., your children, students, co-workers, friends, colleagues, etc.).
Draw primarily from class readings and use any other resources you may have access to on the socialization process to provide an overview on how the process works.
Analyze your own socialization in terms of how the major "agents of socialization," such as family, religion, friends, schooling, co-workers, mass media, important events, government and/or political institutions and organizations may have impacted you. (Note: not everyone may have been impacted by all of these "agents").
Were these influences positive or negative, in your view? How did they lead to your present social awareness and understanding? Did all of the "agents" reinforce each other, or did they cause friction and work against each other?
Were you able to balance the competing "loyalties," and if so, how did you manage? The purpose of this paper is for you to gain a better understanding of how the process of socialization and the impact of your culture has affected you personally, and how many of your attitudes and much of your social awareness may have been formed and challenged. It is not intended to be simply a defense or justification of one's attitudes and beliefs.
It is designed to provide you with a means of understanding how your own behavior will impact other people's socialization in the future. Requests for confidentiality will be respected.