Society expects different attitudes and behaviours from both girls and boys. Gender socialization is termed as the impacting knowledge on different behaviours on the basis of gender. Girls are brought up in conformity to the female role, while boys are raised in conformity to the gender male role. Gender role refers to the personal traits, character, attitude, and behaviour that are encouraged and expected of the individual on the basis of sex. According to social sciences, institutions refer to mechanisms and structures of social comparison and order aimed at regulating peoples’ behaviour in society. These institutions are defined by the role of social permanents and purpose transcending society’s lives while setting and enforcing a set of rules which govern the human corporation and behaviour. The gender socialization institutions are family, school, and the media.
Family
Family is viewed as the main source of influence on socialization. In other words, the family is the initial agent of socialization. A child acquires the initial behaviours through the family, which, in turn, defines the overall moral conduct in the future. The family institution is significant since it is the first to practice civilized behaviours. In this essence, the masculine and the feminine gender roles begin in the family. Additionally, families play a vital in influencing one’s identity, emotional health, and personality. It is evident that parents socialize differently with both daughters and sons, for example, boys are allowed to be independent and free at an early stage than girls, and they are less counseled on appropriate eating habits and clothing. They are also free from carrying out domestic duties and other household chores, which are termed feminine. On the other hand, girls’ freedom and independence are limited as they are expected to be generally obedient, passive, and nurturing and as well assume almost all household tasks.
School
The school also plays a vital role in socialization for both girls and boys within society. The school nurtures the behaviour already acquired from the family. In schools, socialization occurs through official, social or hidden curriculum. The official and social curriculum includes the behaviours gained by the students from their teachers, which also influence their morals. The school teaches the children about their roles, good behaviours, and attitudes within the society within their gender. Subsequently, the hidden curriculum involves a process of learning the rules and attitudes which are required to function effectively in organized groups. Schools also take a formal role in imparting knowledge that is significant in adult functioning within society.
Media
The media institutions include television, music, movies, and radio, among others. Socialization occurs through radio shows and television programs, which are usually commercialized and are effective in helping children develop the right norms and morals in society. They educate on the male and female roles in society depending on the type of media. Programs like advertisements by celebrities and soap operas have a wide impact as they influence society’s lifestyle in both negative and positive ways.
In conclusion, the inheritance of ideologies and social norms is significant, and therefore, schools, media, and family play a vital role in the process of acquiring and inheriting these desired norms and characters aimed at describing the moral behaviour of the people in society. However, the socialization process and institutions can lead individuals to acquire undesirable behaviour. In these assertions, the gender role socialization process within schools, media and families may lead to negative future attitudes but, in most cases, cause the development of a positive moral society.
References
Benokraitis, N. V. (2017). Introduction to Sociology (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.
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