Types of Socialization

Socialization is a lifelong learning process that goes on throughout one’s life. It occurs in two stages, and they are:

1. The Primary (Childhood) Socialization stage.
2. The Secondary (Adulthood) Socialization stage.

The Primary (Childhood) Socialization Stage:

This stage of the socialization process begins at birth. It is the first process of socialization and involves the family members in the socialization process of a child, where normsA norm is a rule, standard, or pattern for action. Social norm refers to shared standards of acceptable behaviour by a group of people. The norms in any society are based... More and values such as language, toilet training, eating habits, etc, are taught to the child.

The primary socialization process is the foundation, therefore, there is a need for it to be good to effect positive and better secondary socialization.

The Secondary (Adulthood) Socialization Stage:

This stage of the socialization process begins in adolescence and continues through adulthood. It is the learning and adapting to norms and values outside the family setting. This often occurs through institutions like schools, peer groups, media, and workplaces.

It helps build an individual’s personal identity and helps him or her learn the appropriate norms and values of societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More.

This stage terminates at death because at every stage in our lives, we learn things that enable us to adapt to new and different situations.