AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION

How do the agents of socialization affect the gender identity of:

1. Boys

 Family- Inside the house the child may have observed the role or things that
his father do as a man. Working for the family, fixing some of the things in
the house, disciplining them, wearing men’s clothes, etc.
 Peers - Most likely the close set of friends of a boy is also a boy. The thing
that his friends do is also becoming his act. The idea regarding to the role of a
man becomes more clear.
 School - Educators, textbooks, and other educational materials can reinforce
traditional gender roles. For example, boy's gender identity may be
influenced if they are consistently encouraged to engage in activities
typically associated with masculinity.
 Church - The role of a man is being emphasized in a religion or church. It
only believes that we only have two genders. The priest and head of the
religion/pastor is man. Some religion has a practice which they have a
separate place for boys and girls.
 Media - The boys may gather more ideas on how they will act based on their
gender because of the videos, posts, news, etc. The information may came
from the other male people.

2. Girls

 Family - A female child may have observed the things that her mother do
inside the house. She may also see how her mother behaves and dress. With
this kind of practices she see or experience will help her to build her identity
as a girl. From doing the house hold chores and taking care of the family to
dressing up as a girl (wearing dress, heels, make-ups).
 Peers - To fit in with their peers, girls may follow certain feminine
stereotypes, and this socialization can have an impact on their understanding
and expression of their gender identity.
 School - Aside from the educational materials, discussions, and activities that
reinforce gender roles or femininity inside the room. A female learner may
also see or observe that most of the teachers were females, because of this it
may give them an idea that teaching is also one of the girl’s role.
 Church - Every religion believes that we only have two genders and they
have different roles. The role that a female have in church is being a follower
or a nun. They believe that women are incharge of nurturing.
 Media - Women's representation in the media may support or challenge
traditional gender norms, influencing how women perceive and express their
gender identity.

3. Gays and Lesbians

 Our gay and lesbian friends may have a different view in gender and roles
because of their background, feelings, and/or experiences. They may have been
belonged to the third gender but they were still a human who have role too.
There is a possibility in a family a male child only have her sisters and
mother, and because of that he may adapt their behaviors, roles, etc. It is also the
same for a female child. They may had/have developed different interest that
contrasts their sex. They may now prefer to have a romantic relationship with
same sex, dress up and act like the opposite sex. In this generation we slowly
accept that we have other genders. We are now more open than before, and
because of that our gay,lesbian, and other gender friends are now somehow
comfortable socializing with us. The younger one’s who were having a hard time
come out was being guided by others now. They can watch, hear, and read what
their gender do in the society.