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The Impact of Family on a Child's Socialization

“Some people become dullards, but as children, we are all creative. It's in the programming, the socialization, that we lose our sense of play.” - Julie Taymor


Socialization is the process by which an individual learns to fit into a group (or society) and behave in a way that the group approves. Most social scientists believe that socialization encompasses the entire process of learning throughout one's life and has a significant impact on the behaviours, beliefs and actions of both adults as well as children.


American Psychological Association (APA) defines socialization as “the process by which individuals acquire social skills, beliefs, values, and behaviors necessary to function effectively in society or in a particular group.”


Types of Socialization

Socialization can be of two forms: primary socialization and secondary socialization.


When a child learns the attitudes, values, and acts that are appropriate for persons as members of a given culture, this is referred to as primary socialization. Primary socialization happens through immediate family and friends.


Secondary socialization is the process of learning how to behave properly as a member of a smaller group inside a larger society. Secondary socialization happens outside the home. An example of a secondary socializing agent can be schools.


Primary socialization happens through family and is a very important part of a person’s life. Whatever a child learns through their family, they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. It also determines how they will treat others. Therefore, the impact of family on a child’s socialization can be immense.


Various Impacts of Family on a Child's Socialization

Family is important to make a child learn all kinds of skills and train them for various important things in life.

  • The family also teaches a child how to be assertive and also understand their emotions and feelings.

  • Socialization through family also determines how a child will behave towards society and react to different situations. Basically, a person’s personality is also shaped through primary socialization.


Family plays a vital role in forming our beliefs and values, be it political or religious. Family helps a person understand the difference between what is considered right and wrong.

  • When parents teach children about the repercussions of their behavior, they are more likely to understand.

  • Parents should assist children in understanding what might happen if they do things a specific way, and vice versa.

As a result, it is critical for a family to instill positive values in their children.


A very important aspect of this is that the family provides a sense of security.

  • A child understands security from his family because his family is the only one who can provide for all of his fundamental requirements, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

  • A family gives a youngster with emotional security that he may not find anyplace else, in addition to meeting his fundamental survival needs.


The way a family interacts with a child may aid a child's understanding of relationships.

  • Only his own family can teach him how to relax, make friends, and trust others.

  • Human existence depends on relationships, and a child's family may teach him how to form and maintain them.


There can be various negative aspects as well. As mentioned above, families shape a child’s development.

  • Even when parental traits are taken into account, low family income has a negative impact on children's social-emotional, cognitive, and academic outcomes. Early childhood experiences of low family poverty have the greatest impact on children's cognitive development.

  • Conflicts and arguments between parents and family members can have a lasting effect on children including anxiety, depression, substance abuse and more.


Conclusion

The role of families in the socialization of children is really significant. It shapes the life of the children and determines their personality. It is very important for parents to instill good values in their children from a very young age and provide them with a sense of security. Parents are the primary source of socialization for a kid. The behavior of the family decides the behavior of their child.


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