Agents of Socialisation

From the moment we are born, we all go through a process of socialisation. During this time we learn the norms and values of our society. There is some debate as to how much of what makes us different as individuals is due to the influence of society or whether we are in some way biologically programmed. The nature or nurture debate is important to consider when studying the nature of socialisation as the roles played by social influence and biological influence are both relevant. When studying socialisation sociologists are more interested in looking at social influence and nurture factors.

Primary socialisation begins as soon as we are born, and usually continues until a child begins primary school. This time period is when parents play the most significant role and is the reason why family is seen as the most important agent of primary socialisation. As more mothers go back to work after maternity leave and place their children with childminders or in nurseries, they can also be seen as primary agents of socialisation. It could be argued that the media has an influence also as there are television programmes designed for small children, such as CITV and CBeebies.

When children become more independent they start to spend less time with their parents and more time in school or with their friends. This is when Secondary socialisation begins. These social influences become more significant in a child’s life as time goes on. The agents of secondary socialisation are education, peer groups, religion and the media (in later life the workplace is also included in this list.) All these agents, including family, are significant in the process of learning the norms, values and culture of society.

Functionalists believe that each part of the social structure has a function or use, which allows society to run smoothly. Society is based on consensus and agreement about the way things should be in society, what is right and what is important. Socialisation is a