The cycle of socialization Bobbie Harro

The cycle of socialization Bobbie Harro

“The Cycle of Socialization” by Bobbie Harro examines the socialization process and creation of identities by society. Socialization process begins before birth and is outside one’s control since social identities are predetermined.  Individual social identity is determined by existing societal roles, rules, and assumptions which shapes the expectations, values, and norms. The article addresses the issue of oppression and manipulation created by society through socialization. According to Harro, the community gives an individual label based on gender, social class, and race which contributes to discrimination and oppression.

Bobbie Harro supports the arguments through a cycle called “Cycle of Socialization” where a person’s day of birth is placed on a specific social identity. The first step is “The Beginning,” which show how society perceives people immediately after birth. Even before a child become old to recognize themselves, society has already set roles and identity for them.  The stage shows that we are born in a world where oppression is already present. Agents of “normal” are usually born into a life of attention and recognition, while targets groups are both into the life of prejudice, exploitation, and discrimination. In the second phase of the first socialization, families shape us in ideals that are deemed essential. The third phase of institutional and cultural socialization shows how individuals learn their roles, place, and stereotype from society as they grow. It is in the “Institution and Cultural Socialization” that one begins to experience oppression and discrimination. The phase of enforcement shows how one go along with social norms, and the last step of action entails accepting the set norms or fighting the discriminatory system.

The reading raises the question of the purpose of school in shaping one’s identity and understanding of self.  People are born in a differing society where they get judged and labeled based on social categories. As a social institution, school is responsible for helping students mold their sense and how they view themselves in terms of gender, ethnicity, and race. Harro gives a life experience in school where he faced ridicule and praise from the teachers, peers, and other members of the education system due to social characteristics and labels. The compliments and ridicules influence interpretation and understanding of self. The reading shows that discrimination is present in every institution, especially at school, and how we react to the labels influences the view of a person. Different social categories placed by the society can either propel the student ahead or leave them behind. At school, students need to understand various social groups of every individual both gender, race, and culture and learn to accommodate everyone for their differences.

Although the article clearly outlines the issue of socialization and discrimination, Harro fails to show the importance of the identities and parental teachings in overcoming prejudice. Harro does not explain how the message from the parents influence and reinforce how we act, especially on gender basis and social values. Another essential omission in the reading is the failure to provide solutions on how to deal with differences and ethnocentrism. Harro ought to have shown how paying close attention to other feelings, thoughts, and understanding of empathy helps in solving differences. Parents and society should be involved in self-identification.

The article by Bobbie Harro reinforces the view that it is the responsibility of individuals to create a better meaningful identity from what society gives before birth. When people become of age and go to school, it is their responsibility to find meaning in life and self. At that time, it becomes easy to get rid of all the identities given by parents and the society that is not correct. Through education, students gain critical consciousness that helps them take a stand and start a new cycle free from discrimination and oppression. Harro reinforces the fact that how people think about themselves and relate to others should match their knowledge with reality rather than stereotypes. College students are capable of thinking for themselves as adults hence the need to investigate and research on the truth.

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