Impact of Family Size on Socialization Process - Research Paper Example

If parents are in a position to transfer refined and cultured mannerism and education to the children, it leaves a pleasant and productive impact on the entire society. On the contrary, lack of adequate brought up and proper socialization produces ill-mannered, perverts, delinquents and criminals in its wake, which get involved into destructive activities, and thus challenge the very harmony, peace, prosperity and solidarity of the social and political set up. “Socialization is a developmental process in which an individual comes in contact with people and things that allow them to be socially acceptable.

This process begins at birth and is constant throughout a person’s entire lifespan.” (Macionis, 2003: 323) Consequently, socialization maintains imperative significance in its nature and scope. Being a highly complicated and sensitive issue, theories have been articulated and researches have been conducted to measure the parameters of socialization process and its long lasting affects on the individuals at large. “The belief that child-parent attachment plays an important role in social development occupies center stage in most contemporary theories of childhood socialization.

” (Richters & Waters, 1991: 1) Consequently, complete and dedicated attention of the parents is vehemently suggested for the perfect and proper socialization of the children. Here the question arises that whether the parents having large number of children are in a position to properly feed, nourish and educate their children or it can only be performed provided family size is small, and number of children is manageable, so that every child could be bestowed upon with sheer love, attention and care from parents.

“The determinants of parenting shape childrearing, which in turn influence child development.” (Belsky, 1984: 84) The scholars carry divergent theories regarding the family size and socialization process of children. Some of the theorists are of the view that kind, compassionate, sacrificing and caring parents always pay due heed to all children even in a large family, and thus can coach and educate each and every child without making any compromise of the quality of socialization they are offering to them.

Similarly, slipshod, careless and self-centered parents always evade their duties and obligations towards their children in the name of performing professional obligations for the purported bright future of the children. Hence, they appear to be reluctant in providing due heed to the family carrying even one or two children only, and their children go astray by getting involved into deviant behavior and malpractices because of the negligence exercised on the part of their parents. Somehow, another school of thought vehemently refutes the very theory that the family size has no significance in the brought up and socialization of the children.

Here appear three social problems, which include: 1. Whether the socialization problem is confined to family only or other factors also play their role in the personality formation of the individuals 2. Whether family size implies any bar on the apposite brought of the children or it is mere a lame excuse on the parts of the parents 3. Whether or not the large family size is helpful in dividing the tasks and responsibilities