Acquisition of Identity (WJEC Eduqas GCSE Sociology): Exam Questions

Education is an important agent of socialisation. Children are taught school subjects through the formal curriculum but also learn norms, values, and attitudes throughout the school day

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The nurture theory stresses the importance of socialisation on behaviour. Feral children are children who have not been socialised in the expected way and may be unable to participate as human beings in their society.

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Children are taught norms and values from a young age. In the family, they will learn how to walk, talk and how to eat acceptably and the importance of good health and education. They will continue to learn norms and values throughout life.

Agents of socialisation such as the family, peer groups and schools have an important role in teaching children the culture of their society. These agents of socialisation are also agents of social control.

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Education is an important agent of secondary socialisation. As well as teaching children different subjects, schools carry on the process of passing on identities to children. For example, gender socialisation begins in the family and continues at school.

As soon as children are born, the process of socialisation begins. They are socialised into, among other things, language, norms, values and customs and learn how to fit into society.

Cultures vary a great deal. Cultural diversity can be found in food, clothing, customs and symbols. Different cultures also have different values and norms. For example, it is the norm to eat horse in some cultures but not in Britain. It is the norm in some cultures for marriages to be arranged, whereas in Britain, couples choose their own partners.

Children are socialised into different identities throughout their lives. They are introduced to gender, ethnic, class and national identities by the agents of socialisation. Identities are socially constructed.

As soon as children are born they begin to be socialised into gender identities. Boys and girls are treated very differently: they are dressed in different colours and styles; they are given different types of toys and to some extent they are treated differently by their parents. They learn how to act and behave as boys and girls. This process continues throughout their childhood and adulthood.

All societies have ways of making sure that people keep to the laws, norms and values of that society. One of the ways is by the agents of socialisation teaching children the norms and values. This would include the use of sanctions. People who keep to the rules will be rewarded, while those who break them will be punished