*INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIALISATION*

*What is Socialisation?*

-refers to a life long process during which we learn about social expectations and how to interact with
other people such as how we talk, walk, and play well with others.

-Is the process by which the individual develops into a more or less adequate member of a social group
and in the process individuals acquire the already existing culture of the social groups they came into.

-Socialisation is learning to perform social roles, it is the process that make individuals develop certain
values, mores, customs, and skills prevailing in a given society thereby developing the individuals
personalities in a certain direction.

- Thus, socialisation is the process by which individuals learn the culture of their society.

*INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIALISATION*

-These can be described as the cultural apparatus of society. These includes: family, peer groups, media,
school(colleges and universities), church/religion , village etc.

1. *The Family*

It is the first stage of socialisation or that is where primary socialisation begin. Family is the original form
of social organization which serves the needs of the family. The family predetermines the social class the
child will be born into. It teaches the child the basic knowledge and skills that the individual will need to
develop as a human being that is the language development, the material phenomena around, one's
social interaction inform of behavioral expectations, society's attitudes and beliefs , one's identity,
operational rules and roles in the family. The family teaches gender roles right from the start thus
shaping individuals in terms of attitudes and behaviors concerning males and females according to the
prevailing culture. In a male dominated society, girls are generally disadvantaged as compared to boys.
The family provides security for the child in both physical and psychological terms under a normal family
where children are not deliberately harmed. At family level that is where the child is taught to love other
people.

2. *Peer group*

It is second stage of socialisation which can be regarded as secondary socialisation. It is made up of the
child's age mates and does not refer to the child's siblings, although, of course brothers and sisters can
be members of the child's peer group. The peer group is the child's first avenue through which it
explores the social world outside the family circle. Peer groups are created and broken throughout all
the stages of the child's development. Some give positive influence like some may act as role models
and create sense of responsibility while others may provide negative influence like peer pressure,
language changes and social ills such as abuse, sex and clothing. Peer group is a carrier of culture and it
thus teaches the child various developmental, general and social skills appropriate to the age level. It
enables the child to mix with equals so that the child learns how to relate to others up to adulthood and
exposure to new strong norms and values. The child learns to accept or achieve various roles thus
promoting identity formation and a sense of belonging . Peer group also helps the child to learn
cooperative behavior and self control in a situation which fosters some measure of independence from
the family or freedom from authority. It also gives emotional support to the child, encourage spirit of
hard work and competition. Peer group is a very good source of information for the child that is they
learn how to form relationships on their own and share different life perceptions. Peer groups influence
the way children interact in social settings.

3. *The School (college /Universities*

The school is also part of secondary socialisation. This can include creche, nursery school, then primary
upto university. The school provides a structured learning program which the child has to cope with. It
gives the child clear rules of behavior and routines in a formalised atmosphere like punctuality,
discipline, respect and hygiene. The school serves as a bridge between the family and society and,
through the rewards and punishment it gives such as passes and failures. It defines the future role that
the child will play in adult life and fulfils the function of teaching learners the customs of a larger society.
The child competes with his/her age mates in mastering the school curriculum and is measured against
universalistic standards different from the treatment received at home, thus, the child is gradually
socialised for the world of work. At school, the child is in close contact with teachers other than family
members, who serve as role models for the child in a formalised system. Teachers have great influence
on children's lives and they often make lasting impression on them.

4. *Media*

It includes radio, television, newspapers, book magazines, journals, computers, mobile phones, internet
etc. In the current Zimbabwean situation, radio and television are the most influential media with radio
reaching more children than television. Media provide information and entertainment influencing the
young a great deal and future things as career choices like role modeling through TV shows. Media
provides education and news more easily like internet. People are connected easily, one can share
information via phone like career guidance, marriage counseling, culture and tradition as shared easily
and talking with others. Media raises awareness of trafficking syndicates, drug abusers, weather
patterns, smuggling and health tips. Media promotes a democratic society since people can debate
which led to the development of civilised societies. Global connection with our friends and relatives in
other countries which promotes cultural mixing of different ethnic groups world over.

*Media Continues*...

However media can negatively socialises the children. Children can grow a habit of watching harmful
and pornographic movies and pictures. Media can promote aggressive behavior as children are exposed
to television violence and bullying to youths watching action movies and wrestling sessions. It can led to
racial and gender discrimination through watching videos. Media raises a sense of insecurity since it is
used by terrorist groups to spread propaganda and hate speechs. Media led to early marriages and
contraction of STDs and HIV/AIDS as media is used for dating platforms. It affects the mental
development in children who are continuously exposed to cartoons with hidden violence. Media affects
culture transformation especially to youth who end up coping foreign cultural norms like dressing.
Media is also used for hacking whereby personal accounts are manipulated for monetary gains causing a
lot of stress to such people.

5. *Church/Religion*

Church influences children through teaching values and beliefs of a specific religion. Children learn to
conform to the rules of that religion. Religion binds people together and shapes collective beliefs into
collective identity. It allow people to meet and share experiences to help other believers. Religion is
used to rehabilitate prisoners by teaching moral values for them to properly survive with other people in
a society nicely after jail term. It assists in nation building, hope to the people, provides comfort and
ensure peace to all people. Church shapes the behavior, beliefs and life processes of individuals. It
teaches people to have respect to the elderly people and love one another.

*However*, negatively, some religions threatens using violence to achieve political objective like Islamic
militant, Boko Haram of Nigeria which had killed thousands of Christians since 2012. Church is used to
abuse people physically, emotionally and psychologically as church leaders take advantage of spiritual
security of congregants. Prophets also rape female congregants on the excuse that the Holy Spirit would
have commanded them to do so. Churchs, due to the love of wealth the girl child has been forced to
marry church leaders and members before the age of 18 years like Apostolic church of Johane Marange,
which force girl child drop out of school and became mothers at a tender age. For Karl Marx religion is
deception that provides excuses to keep society functioning. For him, religion works hand in hand with
oppressors as it was used to oppress other weaker members like work of missionaries in the
colonisation of Zimbabwe.

6. *Village/Community*

A community is a place where people collectively live, share common resources such as dip tank, roads,
grazing lands, water sources, and worship. Village shapes people's everyday lives and behaviors as they
develop relations that help to preserve culture, beliefs and values. Members are socialised through a
natural process of learning from others as they share common lifestyles and experiences. Skills and
values are passed from one community to the other. Village teaches the way people talk, respect the
dead and the living and how to preserve the available natural resources. The community instill discipline
and value of religious and social beliefs to the people. Ceremonies and rituals are performed from one
generation to the other for sake of continuity of their lifestyle, skills and values.

Qsn :The school in many societies viewed as an agent of social change. With reference to Zimbabwe,
illustrate the role which schools are playing as agents of social change?