The following activities should help you connect what you’ve learned in the individual readings.
Synthesize
Discuss the following questions with your classmates.
- Do you think it is important for parents to discuss gender roles with their young children, or is gender a topic better left for later? How do parents consider gender norms when buying their children books, movies, and toys? How should parents approach these issues?
- Based on your observations, when are adolescents more likely to listen to their parents or to their peer groups when making decisions? What types of issues might they take to each group or social agent? When might those decisions be problematic?
- What transitions or socialization processes might be the most difficult or painful? How might agents of socialization make the process easier or more difficult?
Apply
Use the Internet to explore this topic further.
- Most societies expect parents to socialize children into gender norms. See the controversy surrounding one Canadian couple’s refusal to do so at http://openstax.org/l/Baby-Storm What did they decide to do? What problems did it create? Why did one doctor voice his concern? What is your opinion of this?
- Homelessness is a major problem among military veterans. Learn more about this problem at http://openstax.org/l/NCHV Why is this a common problem? How does it relate to issues covered in this chapter with total institutions and socialization?
Write or Speak
- Twin studies try to determine the effects of genetics and socialization on children. They are often part of what is called the “Nurture-Nature Debate.” Research this debate. Explain what parts of a person’s self are clearly genetic or socialized. How might socialize override a person’s genetics?
- Think about your early schooling. What was part of the hidden curriculum that you were taught? How did your education contribute to your socialization? Were those ideas in line with your socialization at home?
