Socialization: The Producer of Culture

Recall

•We discussed What Makes Us and what influences human behaviour over the past few days

•Today, we will examine how Culture perpetuates itself from generation to generation

•Anthropologists often regard culture as an Agent of Socialization, and Kinship Systems as the main transmitter

Socialization & it’s Agents• Socialization is a continuous process whereby an

individual acquires a personal identity & learns the norms, values, behaviour, and social skills appropriate to their social position

• Socialization takes place through interactions w/ others (sometimes referred to as social contact)▫ Interactions can be intentional or unintentional

• Anthropologists (as well as sociologists & social psychologists) believe there are a number of ways or methods in which PPL become socialized▫These methods of socialization are called agents of

socialization

Socialization Terminology• Norms: rules that indicate what ppl should do or how they

should act

• Values: standards of what is considered right & wrong

• Status: the position a person has w/in a social institution

• Primary Agents of Socialization▫ Are the most important agents of socialization /c they shape

the life/behaviour of individual’s when they are children▫ Includes - Family & Friends

• Secondary Agents of Socialization▫ Are typically institutions (places) that help an individual find

their place in society▫ Includes - school, work, religion

Kinship Systems•Anthropologists believe kinship systems

(family) is the most important agent of socialization

•Why Kinship?•Kinship determines

▫Whom we are related too▫Whom we must show respect too▫Who owes respect to you

•Family relationships define who we are as individuals & how we see others in their society

What Kinship Looks Like

Types of Kinship Systems & Key Terms

• Matrilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through their mothers

• Patrilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through their fathers

• Bilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through both parents

• Lineage: male relatives capable of tracing their ancestry back to one direct person

• Clan: group of several lineages in which ppl are related but cannot always trace exact ancestral relationships

Stop & Reflect

•What kinship system does your family follow?

•How does your kinship system determine yours sense of self?

•How would immigration and/or emigration affect kinship systems?

Marriage: Perpetuator of Socialization

• Marriage is a cultural institution in MOST cultures▫Varies in appearance & practice b/w cultures

• Anthropologists agree that marriage defines social relationships to provide for the survival & socialization of children▫ It defines rights &

obligations of 2 PPL in terms of sex, reproduction, work and social roles

▫ Creates new relationships b/w families & kin groups

Marriage in Canada: Do You Know it’s History?

• As a class let’s discuss the following questions

• What would marriage look like in prior to 1960?▫ (i.e. ethnically, religiously, social class, etc)

• What happened to children born out of wedlock?

• What type of marriage became popular after 1960?

• How have marriages changed since the 1990s?

• What important marriage function, is NOT being fulfilled by many couples today?

Arranged Marriage, the Most Common?

•Arranged marriages are set-up by someone other than the people getting married▫Interesting fact: 5-7% of arranged

marriages fail, 50% of nonarranged marriages fail

•Why?•Shaped by beliefs that child-rearing,

economic relationships, & uniting kin groups are more important than love

Types of Marriage

• Monogamy: relationship where an individual has 1 partner

• Polygamy: marriage that involves multiple partners▫Polygyny: marriage b/w 1 husband & multiple

wives (permitted in 80% of world cultures)

▫Polyandry: marriage b/w 1 wife & multiple husbands (practiced in less than 1% of all world cultures)

• What types of marriage are legal in Canada?

• Why is this form of marriage strange considering the N. American divorce rate?

Family Roles & Cultures

• W/ marriage comes families• Family members have specific roles

▫ Father, mother, son, daughter, etc…

• Roles differ depending on culture hwr,ALL members have obligations to family

▫ Obligations may be to nuclear members or extended members (aunts, uncles, etc)

• These roles also shape how we act & view the world

• Think about the following roles & who performs them in your house; repairs, cleaning, income, meal prep, organizing activities, etc…

• What roles do you play?

• What obligations do you have w/in each role?

Family Roles & Self-Concept

Similarities Differences

• PPL perceive self positively

• PPL feel that they are good or valuable

• Self-enhancement• Westerners see themselves

more positively than they really are▫ Blame for a bad mark is

typically placed elsewhere Mistake, bad luck, teacher’s

fault• Asian culture motivated by

shame▫ Motivates to avoid bad

marks To be “good” you avoid

humiliation (better study!)

How do families influence our self-concept?Studies on Western & Eastern societies show similarities &

differences

Kinship & Marriage

• Using your knowledge of kinship systems & marriage to answer the following questions

• How does kinship & marriage influence or shape an individual’s identity?

• Explain how an individual growing up in a matrilineal-polyandry culture may view the world differently than someone from a bilineal-monogamous culture?

• According to anthropologists, how are social norms, values, and behaviours transferred from one generation to the next?