Why do sociologists argue that socialization is a process and not a product - Essay Example

Why Socialization is a Process and not a Product Sociologists have highlighted that socialization is not a product, but rather a process. This conclusion has not been drawn hastily because they have focused on studying socialization over several years. Socialization is identified as the process through which boys and girls learn the relevant behavior from the society depending on their sex. Through socialization, girls learn what women in the society are expected to do, and they begin to exhibit feminine behavior.

A similar process of socialization helps boys learn masculine behavior. Without doubt, human beings are not born as social beings. However, the process of socialization transforms an individual, making him or her social. The reason why socialization is considered a process and not a product is that it begins after birth and only ends after death. Throughout an individual’s life, there are different stages of socialization that one must undergo successfully. Moreover, socialization is a process because it includes agencies, which ensure that the individual learns social norms and behaviors.

Some sociologists have highlighted that each developmental stage from infancy through adolescence to middle age and in the older years reflect different stages of socialization. In each of these stages, an individual actively indulges with social agents who transfer societal and gender roles (Stolley 66). Notably, stages during infancy mark the highest level of socialization because of a close interaction with family members, who are the social agents in this phase. The process of socialization occurs unconsciously, although socializing agents such as the family, educational institutions, and the entire society is involved in this process.

Work CitedStolley, Kathy S. The Basics of Sociology. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Press, 2005. Print.