The agents of socialization are the persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we need to know in order to participate in society. There are four agents of socialization. They include family, peers, school, and the mass media. Of the four agents, family is considered the primary agent of socialization. The other three agents of socialization, peers, school, and the mass media, are considered secondary agents of socialization. Though these are considered secondary agents, they are very important components of socialization. Many people tend to forget about the function and importance of these three agents. It is important for people to realize that family is not the only agent of socialization. Family is the most significant agent of socialization but the secondary agents, peers, school, and the mass media, must not go unrecognized.

As earlier stated, family is the primary agent of socialization. This is so because family is one’s first view of social value. This is valid in all societies. Family sizes and structure vary from household to household and from culture to culture. These play key roles on how one grows up and views the world. Families serve as important functions in society because they are the primary locus for the socialization of children. They are also the primary source of emotional support. They often go through the same things at the same time and can provide comfort for one another. This allows and causes families to bond and build trust for one another. Family is where people gain specific social views that can follow them throughout their whole lives. This is where most learn about and choose their religion. Many often learn about their ethnicity and social class.

Families also shape who a person is and who they will become. There are many factors on how one is raised that may determine who one will be. Those from loving families seem to be happier and less violent than those who are raised in families that are too strict or too lenient. Families from different social classes tend to raise their children in different manners. Working class parents typically teach their children the importance of following norms and obedience. Parents in the middle class and the professional class often allow their children to make their own choices and give them independence and freedom. These factors may follow them throughout their school years and their career. It can affect how they treat those around them and how others may treat them. Families can be a factor on how confident and creative one will be. It may also be a deciding factor in rather one will be a leader or a follower. The person that one learns to be at home will reflect on the person they are around their peers and in school.

Peer groups are secondary agents of socialization. Children learning to socialize with others properly must have peers to interact with. When children form friendships with their peers, the satisfaction and security that most children derive from interacting with peers outweigh periodic problems. People interacting with their peers can be very positive because it can give one a sense of acceptance, despite the fact that friendships have inevitable ups and downs. Peers can be a way for people to get out and socialize or relax. It can also be a way for people to meet others and learn to be comfortable. Peer groups may form close social circles, in which, the peers can find the most comfort and sense of belonging. The peers may often seclude themselves from other groups.

School is another secondary agent of socialization. The school is known as a micro system, it is an institution where learning takes place and individuals develop. School provides intellectual and social experiences from which people can expand. Individuals build knowledge, skills, customs, beliefs, interests, and attitudes that contribute to their character and shape their abilities to perform adult roles. School is very important to one’s future because it plays a very large part in a person’s career choice. School helps one to explore many possible career options by allowing students to experience many things that may become hobbies. After discovering what one is interested in, one will grow a curiosity about that subject. That curiosity may evolve that hobby into a career. School may also serve as a day care center for parents. This may allow some parents to have their own careers. Schools teach specific knowledge and skills.  .

The mass media is another agent of socialization. This agent of socialization has a large impact on adults as well as children. The mass media consists of large scale organizations that use prints or electronic means, such as television, the internet, and other components to communicate with larger numbers of people. The media function in various ways. They inform people about events such as sales and grand openings. They introduce you to many people across the world. This is done when networks such as chat rooms, MySpace, and Face Book. The mass media provide an array of viewpoints on current issues. One can often learn about national issues and current events by simply watching television. One can watch others express their views and form their own opinions based on facts and events that have taken place. Media make us aware of products and services using ads such as magazines, billboards, and commercials. Media also include radio, video, and CDs. The media also allow one to live vicariously. It gives one a chance to live through other people’s experiences. This may be done by tuning in to a reality television show. The mass media requires the presence of an audience whether it is small and defined or large and amorphous. With increasing numbers of media outlets, there has been more and more targeting of segmented or specialized audiences.

all agents of socialization are important and affect each person in different ways. They are all important factors in what makes everyone individuals. This helps people grow as a society, which make the society a stronger unit. Some may say that the agents of socialization are tearing down communities and lowering societies’ qualities and standards. I disagree because I think that society is working toward being more accepting of those considered different. I believe that times are just changing and some people need more time to adjust than others. We are all exposed to these agents of socialization, in one way or another, and we affect them just as much as they affect us.