what is an agent of socialization

Agents of socialization are the people, groups, and social institutions that affect an individuals self-concept, attitudes, and behaviors. They teach people what society expects of them, what is right and wrong, and give them the skills they need to function as members of their culture. The primary agents of socialization include people with whom we have a close intimate relationship, such as parents, and usually occur when people are very young. The family is usually considered the primary agent of socialization, and schools, peer groups, and the mass media are considered secondary socialization agencies. Other agents of socialization include religion, government, and the workplace. Socialization helps people learn to function successfully in their social worlds, and it occurs through interaction with various agents of socialization, like peer groups and families, plus both formal and informal social institutions. Sociologists recognize that race, social class, religion, and other societal factors play an important role in family socialization/02%3A_How_Children_Learn_and_Understand_Their_World/2.01%3A_Agents_of_Socialization).