Introduction To Sociology
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Agents of socialization are the groups surrounding us with whom we interact daily. We develop a connection with them whether close or distant and they help in shaping us to whom we are. These groups are divided into two categories; primary agents and secondary agents. Primary agents consist of people we have physical and emotional connection with. Under primary agents there are family members who are the first we come into contact with in birth and through most of our growing up and maturity to death; they are part of our lives. Friends play a major role as socialization agents too and they can fall under primary or secondary group depending on how tight the friendship ties are. Secondary group comprise of those we interact with casually. Workmates, schoolmates, and the people we meet in religious gatherings and recreational places. There are no emotional connections involved. Socializing agents gives an individual a sense of identity and belonging. In most cases people’s settlements and interactions are determined by their socio-economic status therefore creating a gap between those with low and high income leading to an institutionalized system of social inequity.
In today’s world, families have taken different dimensions and they diversify with time with new forms coming up. What used to be termed as a family in the past is not what it is today. The first family form discussed is the biological family. Under biological family there is nuclear families made up of father, mother and children, extended families consisting of nuclear family with the addition of brothers, uncles, grandparents, grandchildren, etc. The second form is the step family. A step family is formed by re-marriage where after separation, divorce or death of one partner, the other marries another person and the two bring their