Socialization Process

According to Parrillo the socialization process is when individuals, “acquire the values, attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions of their culture or subculture including religion, nationality, and social class.” (Rereading America) This process encourages specific beliefs and attitudes, and what Parrillo believes is that the child conforms to the beliefs of the parents. The children don’t know any better, and don’t have beliefs of their own yet, so they often accept the beliefs of the parents to be true. As a result the children have their parent’s expectation of the world and not their own. For example, an individual has a choice to associate themselves with a particular political party. That individual might have just accepted whatever political party their parents believed in, accepting the beliefs to be true, and don’t even know why.

I think Parrillo oversimplifies it, and often we are influenced by our family members, but there are outside influences such as the media, friends, and teachers that can sway you personal opinion. There are multiple sources that will influence one’s social beliefs. It is okay to have the same views as your parents, but you have the freedom to change your opinion. I think often times the opinion of your parent’s stays with you because that is what you grew up hearing, and in the end you keep the same beliefs, which is what Parrillo was arguing.