of our learning involves both enculturation and socialisation. Language learning is a good example. While a lot of language learning takes place spontaneously, there is also certain amount of direct teaching of the language, such as in grammar courses in elementary schools. On the other hand, learning of language other than the mother tongue, such as learning of Hindi by a European child, or of French by a child in India, is completely a deliberate process.
Socialisation Agents A number of people who relate to us possess power to socialise us. Such people are called “ socialisation agents ”. Parents and family members are the most significant socialisation agents. Legal responsibility of child care, too, lies with parents.
Their task is to nurture children in such a manner that their natural potentials are maximised and negative behaviour tendencies are minimised or controlled. Since each child is also part of a larger community or society, several other influences (e.g., teachers, peer groups) also operate on her/his life. We will briefly discuss some of these influences. Parents Parents have most direct and significant impact on children’s development.
Children respond in different ways to parents in different situations. Parents encourage certain behaviours by rewarding them verbally (e.g., praising) or in other tangible ways (e.g., buying chocolates or objects of child’s desire). They also discourage certain behaviours through non-approving behaviours. They also arrange to put children in a variety of situations that provide them with a variety of positive experiences, learning opportunities, and challenges.
While interacting with children parents adopt different strategies, which are generally known as parenting styles. A distinction is made between authoritative, authoritarian and democratic or permissive parenting styles. Studies indicate that parents vary enormously in the treatment of children in terms of their degree of acceptance and degree of control . The conditions of life in which parents live (poverty, illness, job stress, nature of family) also influence the styles they adopt in socialising children.
Grandparental proximity and network of social relationships play considerable role in child socialisation directly or through parental influences. School School is another important socialising agent.