The Influence of Socialization on the Individual

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Surrounded by controversy, socialisation has persistently had a paramount influence on the way that we, as individuals, conform to the roles that we are presented with in everyday life in regards to the self, work and gender. A significant contradiction concerning the way in which we socialise is that although we are in our most ordinary roles that appear inborn, we are essentially in masked roles that are composed by society (Willis, 1979: 184). Although we manage our roles and they seem natural, they are in reality roles that have been assembled by society. The non-essentialist or ‘social constructivist’ view of the self contends that we are shaped and modified by the external influences of society and culture. It is ruled entirely by structure as opposed to agency. Subsequently, ethnicity, age, gender, religion and social class play are significant part in influencing the self. Still, It is argued that if the non-essentialist view continues to be so indomitable, we may be seemingly modelled by societal views and structure. On the other hand, the essentialist views of the self have caused debate as it argues that through mediation, travel, or counselling, individuals will be able to find their inner self. Unlike the non-essentialist view, it focuses on the idea that society is connected to the individual more so than societal views, and internal factors such as agency and individual control are empowering. However, Erving Goffman in The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life, the social roles in which we behave in are emphasised, highlighting that although we appear at our most natural, we are actually in roles that society has influenced, cancelling out the essentialist views. Goffman sees the self as a ‘dramaturgical approach’... ... middle of paper ... ...th dirt whereas girls from a young age play Barbie dolls; while growing up they still aspire to look like Barbie – dieting for the perfect body, dark tan, platinum blonde hair (Walter, 2010, Pg.254). Consequently, men and women are different and do not share the same social expectations; they have been introduced to these norms from the moment they are born and dressed in the ‘gender appropriate’ coloured clothing. Socialisation has had a constant influence on the way that we, as individuals, present ourselves in everyday life roles in regards to the self, work and gender. Controversy will continue to linger among the different views. A substantial contradiction with reference to the way in which we socialise is that despite being in our most mundane roles that appear natural and given, we are really in roles that are constructed by society (Willis, 1979: 184).

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