EVERYTHING ABOUT SOCIALISATION

SOCIALISATION

Introduction

~ Hello again learners, and welcome to HHG Inst. ßlog, I’m Mrs Makuyana and today I will be teaching you everything you need to know regarding Socialisation.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Heritage
• It is a birth right in which people identify themselves with.
• Examples of things in which people identify themselves with are:
– land
– minerals
– culture
– mountains
– rivers

Community
• A place where people collectively live, share common resources such as food, roads, water resources, recreational centres and many others.

Society
• It refers to a group of people sharing the same geographical location in an organised way and share the same culture norms, values, hopes, successes, aspirations, determination, failures and other things.

Norms
• They refer to accepted standards of behaviour in a particular society.
• It also refers to expectations developed by a group of people that guide behaviour.
• Examples of expectations are :
– Children are expected to greet elders.
– Man are expected to remove theirhats when eating.

Beliefs
• They refer to the state of mind which trusts that something exists.
• It is faith and acceptance that something is true and exists.

Culture
• It is a way of life that encompasses language, ideas, behaviour, and food
Is ideas, arts, customs, beliefs, and social behaviour passed from one generation to the other.

Custom
• It refers to habits that are continuously practised that is more orless permanent foruse by a society.

Media
• It refers to the means of communication.
• It is through which different types of information are conveyed to people.
• Examples of media include:
– Newspapers
– Telephone
– Televisions
– Internet etc.

Rituals
• These are ceremonies that are repeatedly done in a set mannerforexample the Shangani initiation ceremonies and otherforms.

WHAT IS SOCIALISATION?
• It is defined as the process whereby individuals acquire and share beliefs and culture in the society.
• It can also be defined as the process whereby an infant systematically becomes a self-aware and knowledgeable person in skills to understand and share the culture into which he orshe was born.
• It is a lifelong process during which people learn about social expectations and how to interact with otherpeople such as how to talk, walk, and play with others. It is a process of welcoming infants into the social world.
• It is a lifelong social experience by which individuals develop their potential, learn, and share their culture.

SOCIALISATION IN DIFFERENT AREAS
• Socialisation in Low density, High density and Medium Density
• Socialisation in these areas is different in terms of :
– accommodation
– clothes to wear
– music played

Beliefs
• It refers to discipline and other things Community Ceremonies and Rituals
rain making ceremonies, Intwasa reed dance and Shangani initiation ceremony.

Why some ceremonies are discouraged?
- They are in conflicts with human and women rights issues
- They suppress the girls’ feelings
- They are against Christianity

Explain the role of religion in the socialisation process
There are various religions in Zimbabwe such as African Traditional
religion, Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Rastafarianism to mention a few.
these religion’s message has the power to influence people’s beliefs and behaviour.

Christianity
– It provides a link between people and God-the love of God.
– It teaches critical values such as respect for parents living a faithful life Good morals and behaviour and so on African Traditional Religion it teaches good beliefs of Africans
beliefs are passed from one generation to the other by the word of mouth.
teaches about vadzimu-mediators between God and people.
~ Vadzimu provides us with guidance and protection.
– they can stop drought
– they can also stop starvation
– they can stop diseases and provide good for the future.

Islamic Religion
• Muslim means someone who submits to God.
• They believe in Allah religion is universal they believe in one God.
• On Ramadan day they fast and abstain from food, drinks and other physical needs like sex their founder is Prophet Mohammed.

Rastafarianism
• Rastafarianism was founded by Marcus Garvey around 1920-1930 in Jamaica.
• Rastafarianists believe in the Messiarship of emperor Haile sellasie of Ethiopia Who resisted oppression and pride to Africa’s heritage its teachings are from Old Testament. They are based on Judaism and Christianity.
• They believe that God is black and that there is a black man’s God

The place of Religion in Socialisation
• it binds people together.
• it shapes their beliefs into collective identity.
• Religious gatherings foster solidarity and unity.
• Religion encourage people to share experiences Religion provides social control.
• It avoids indecorous behaviour on prisoned people it encourages nation building-people will accept negative life experiences.
• it teaches about holy morals and good behaviour.
• it also provides comfort.

Religion and Fundamentalism
• Fundamentalism is strict adherence to set rules and regulations.
• Example people may be forced to obey certain rules in church (Christianity)
• In Islam they can kill people who do not follow it (mass killing of people)
• The same applies in Buddhism they also kill or persecute those who do not follow its doctrines or teachings.

What is media ?
• A means of communication

Forms of Media
• Media exists in two forms namely :
a) Print media
b) Electronic Media

Types of Print Media
– papers
– newspapers
– textbooks
– magazines
– billboards
– pamphlets
– flyers

Types of Electronic Media are:
– Whatsapp
– Internet
– Twitter
– Radio
– Television
– Facebook
– Instagram
– Skype

What is Media hegemony?
• Is the use of media to further political desires than its purported use to gather public opinion.
• Hostile media will publish false stories causing alarm and hostility in society.

The role of media in the socialisation process
• children can end up watching harmful and unlawful pornographic material/movies and videos.
• Spread of diseases through wanting to experience what they see on these media
• Media also promotes aggressive behaviour i.e. in America – most children are violent.
• In Zimbabwe Children who watch these videos ended up being more bully and deviant.
• Media is used by terrorists to spread propaganda, e.g in Nigeria – Boko Haram
• At times media is used to spread hate and discrimination e.g. among HIV and AIDS patients, Africans are portrayed as backward and poor
• Media is also used by the young as a dating platform.
• It also affects propermental development especially to people/children who continuously watch cartoons.
• Media also affects culture especially in terms of dressing and language
Media also give young girls a false sense of beauty-copying e.g Rihana
• Media also encouraged hacking formonetary gains.
• Media has also led to communication breakdown and family disputes since most people are now taking most of theirtime watching videos and paying games instead of doing productive work.
• Irresponsible use of media has resulted in worsened cheating in marriages
• Media is also used for political reasons to threaten people in other social platforms
• Media also teaches people to be more critical to the government.

Advantages of using media
• It provides learning and education more easily through researches on the Internet.
• It provides entertainment and leisure through dramas etc.
• People are more connected more easily
• Media promotes a democratic society when people engage in free debates.
• It reaches various people in various areas
• It raises awareness of bad habits like trafficking syndicates and drug abusers.
• It promotes sharing of culture and belief practices

Globalisation =) we meet new friends and business partners.

Qualities of good media user
• Avoid the use of pornographic material-this is a criminal offense
• Avoid dating on internet sites
• Avoid posting information whose accuracy you cannot determine
• Avoid violent sites.
• Avoid sending and circulating sensitive information.
• Write positive information only
• Wait for the government policies on information circulation

Problems that arise on the use of Media in Schools
• interruption of studies-more time spend watching movies and games
students are exposed to pornographic materials
• more money is pend in upgrading phones topping up and swapping
• Some students became preoccupied to the extent of not doing work
• Can lead to misbehaviour.
media promotes cyberbullying.
• Increase in theft of cell phones

Where does the process of socialisation start :
• A baby or foetus starts its socialisation process in the womb or during pregnancy by communicating to his/her father or mother through kicking when he/she hears the noise outside (e.g laughter or cries)

Importance of Socialisation

Socialisation helps us to :
– Talk
– Walk
– Play well with others
– Feed ourselves
– Acquire norms and values

Stage I
Pregnant mother


Stage 2
Child is born and socialises with mother and father.


Stage 3
Child socialises with the extended family


Stage 4
Child socialises with friends.


Stage 5
Child reaches adolescence and succumbs to peer pressure.


Stage 6
Child matures


Stage 7
Child becomes old


Stage 8
Child finally dies.

Qualities of a well socialised child
– Greets his or her elders.
– Respects authority.
– Finds time to pray.
– Listens to other people’s views.
– Helps parents/guardians at home.

SOCIALISATION AT HOME AND THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBLITIES IN A FAMILY
List socialisation agents at home :
– mother
– father
– siblings/children
• This is the first point of socialisation for an infant’s development

The Mother
• A mother is referred to as a woman or female adult related to a child or children to whom she has given birth.
• Mothers provide children with their first experience of the social world.
• Mothers start socialisation process with their babies whilst in their wombs.
• Mothers teach their children hymning, talking and clapping.
• They do this in their mother tongue.
• She also prepares food for the family.
• She keeps the house in order.
• She Nurtures and raises the children, teaching them morals and values.

The Father
• Is a male adult in relation to his child or children.
• The father also plays an equally important role in the socialisation process of a child.
• The father nurtures and guide their infants.
• The father provides moral and logistical support for the family.
• The father is the role model of discipline, guidance and culture.
• The father instils a sense of security and discipline.
• He resolves disputes arising in the family.
• Provides food for the family.
• Provides shelter for the family.
• Provides money for the family.
• The father is responsible for making important decisions.

The Siblings/Children
• Refers to two or more children with one or both parents in common for example a brother and a sister.
• Siblings interact together.
• Siblings bind the family.
• Siblings exchange clothes to show oneness.
• In Zimbabwean culture they say children should obey parents by performing household chores i.e. kitchen, garden, laundry, and cattle herding
• Living up to the family’s expectations
• Getting good grades at the school

The Friends/Relations
• Help to relate to each other.
• Help each other in times of need.

• They interact together.
• Exchange views based on their cultures.
• Some of the relations are families, friends, casual, and romantic relations.

Roles of individuals in the community
• To obey laws and social norms.
• Contribution towards the economic and development of the community
• Participating in income generating projects.
• Giving back to the community.

Roles of individuals to the Nation
• To help in the nation’s development or growth.
• To get a good education in orderto become bettercitizens of tomorrow.
• To learn skills to do jobs which the country’s economy needs to develop.
• Need to know how to read, write, think, understand, analyse and discuss the problems.
• To have good morals and values.

OTHER SOCIALISING AGENTS/PLACES
– The home
– The school
– The Church
– The Shops
– Religion
– Media etc.

Definitions of other terms

Relations
• It Is a way of life in which two or more people are connected.
• Some are related by blood or community.

Idioms
• Is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words, but that has a separate meaning of its own.

Proverb
• It’s referred to as a short saying that is widely used to express an obvious truth.

Responsibility
• A duty ortask that you are required orexpected to do.

Deviant
• It is an action of departing from accepted standards

Folklore
• It refers to the traditional beliefs, customs and stories of the community passed through generations by the word of mouth.

Nurturing
• It’s an act of encouraging, nourishing and caring for.

SOCIALISATION IN DIFFERENT LIFE SETUPS

High density areas
– Examples are Mabvuku and Tafara, Sakubva in Mutare etc.
– Houses are closely packed together.
– There are Ghetto Youths
– Prefer Dancehall music, Sungura and Reggae.
– School pupils go to poor schools.
– There are low income wage earners.

Low Density Areas
– Examples are Borrowdale in Harare, Hillside in Bulawayo, Ascot in Gweru
– There are good houses.
– People living in these areas are educated.
– Most people living in these areas are very rich.
– People living there prefersoft genres and western music

Rural Areas
– Examples are in Mberengwa, Gutu, Mutoko and many others.
– People live and work together.
– People share food equally.
– People do community gatherings and ceremonies.
– They also do community rituals together etc.