Answer to Question #279910 in Sociology for Takia

Question

How different agents ofsocialization shape our gender socialization process which starts 

from self-development stages and continues as life -long process, discuss with proper 

examples. 

Answer 1

Family

The family is the most important agent of socialization because it serves as the center of the child’s life. The division of labor between men and women contributes to the creation of gender roles, which in turn, lead to gender-specific social behavior. In the adult years the demands of work and family overwhelm most peer group relations and the influence of peers seriously declines as an agent of socialization, only to return during the elderly years. The division of labor creates gender roles, which in turn, lead to gendered social behavior.

Peers

Peer groups can serve as a venue for teaching gender roles, especially if conventional gender social norms are strongly held. Gender roles refer to the set of social and behavioral norms that are considered socially appropriate for individuals of a specific sex in the context of a specific culture. Through gender-role socialization, group members learn about sex differences, and social and cultural expectations. Early on, children begin to almost restrict themselves to same-gendered groups. Boys tend to participate in more active and forceful activities in larger groups, away from adults, while girls were more likely to play in small groups, near adults. The stereotypes are less prominent when the groups are mixed-gendered, because the difference is not salient. For instance, a girl who wishes to take karate class instead of dance lessons may be called a “tomboy,” facing difficulty gaining acceptance from both male and female peer groups.

Mass Media

In mass media, women tend to have less significant roles than men, and are often portrayed in stereotypical roles, such as wives or mothers. Television commercials and other forms of advertising reinforce inequality and gender-based stereotypes. Particularly concerning are instances when women are depicted in dehumanizing, violent, and oppressive ways, especially in music videos. The mass media is able to deliver impersonal communications to a vast audience.