payment page
In 1970, French filmmaker François Truffaut directed a movie called L’Enfant Sauvage (The Wild Child). It was allegedly a true story about two Frenchmen in the latter part of the 18th century who were walking in the countryside and came across a boy who appeared to be somewhere between six and eight years old. He couldn’t speak, walk, or relate to humans. It seemed he had raised himself, perhaps with the help of certain animals. The two men took the boy to Paris, where a doctor worked with him intensively for many years. Eventually, the boy was able to function in French society.
Unlike some species of animals, and unlike what we sometimes see in movies, we cannot raise ourselves—we must be raised by other people, who teach us language, manners, beliefs, and much more. What we learn from the people who raise us is called our socialization, and it’s a learning process that helps prepare us for a place in adult life. Socialization doesn’t end with the advent of adulthood. As we grow and mature, we become members of new groups and must learn new things in order to function in our new roles.
Nature versus Nurture
One of the most enduring debates in sociology and psychology is the question of nature versus nurture: to what extent are human behaviors, traits, and identities shaped by genetics (nature) versus social and environmental factors (nurture)? While biology provides a foundation, it does not entirely determine behavior. Sociologists argue that genes alone cannot explain the vast diversity of human cultures, norms, and identities, often emphasizing the critical role of nurture in shaping human behavior and development.
The nurture argument highlights the importance of environmental factors and social influences in shaping human behavior. Socialization – the lifelong process by which individuals learn norms, values, and behaviors – plays a central role in determining how people think and behave. While sociologists acknowledge biological influences, they argue that socialization is essential for the development of skills, attitudes, and values necessary for functioning in society.
Primary and Secondary Socialization
Socialization occurs in two key stages: primary socialization, which happens during early childhood and is typically influenced by family, and secondary socialization, which occurs later in life as individuals engage with broader social institutions like schools, workplaces, and peer groups.
Primary socialization is the learning we experience from the people who raise us. In order for children to grow and thrive, caregivers must satisfy their physical needs, including food, clothing, and shelter. Caregivers must also teach children what they need to know in order to function as members of a society, including norms, values, and language. If children do not receive adequate primary socialization, they tend not to fare well as adults.
Secondary socialization is the process of learning appropriate behavior, norms, and values as individuals interact with institutions and social groups other than the family. It typically begins in later childhood and continues throughout life. Unlike primary socialization, which focuses on foundational norms taught by family, secondary socialization occurs through exposure to new environments such as schools, workplaces, religious organizations, and peer groups. This stage allows individuals to adapt to different societal roles and expectations, either reinforcing or modifying behaviors learned during primary socialization.
