Post on 12-Jan-2016
Chapter 10Culture, Socialization,
and Education
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Agents of Socialization
Family – Multiple patterns• Single parent families, Mothers who work, the “postnuclear” family,
grandparents as primary care-givers
Peers – Multiple influences• Peer culture, extra-curricular activities, bullying School - Multiple
messages• Teacher expectations, hidden curriculum, classroom culture
Media – Multiple sources• Television as the “first curriculum,” special impact on girls• Video games• Access to the Internet – the digital “Haves” vs the “Have-nots”
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Concerns for American Families
• Poverty• More Single-Parent Families• Increase in Working Mothers• Latchkey Children• Pressures on Children• Overindulged Children• Homelessness
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Classroom Culture
• Routine activities – Seatwork, group discussion, teacher demonstration, Question-
and-answer period
• Stress on order and obedience – Prevention of disturbances, students treated as a group
• Enthusiasm controlled – General emotional tone is neutral– Student work primarily listening, answering questions, taking
tests– Patterns more rigid as students progress through grades
• Curiosity not encouraged – Instruction focused on the “mere possession of information”
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Factors in Passive Classroom Culture
• Need to maintain order• Students prefer passive learning• Compromises between students and teachers• Teachers’ allocation of attention• Society’s need for conformity• Teacher overload
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Gender Roles and Sex Differences
Gender Roles• Early reinforcement• School problems for boys• School problems for girls• Girls discouraged from competition and leadership• Boys’ versus girls’ peer groups
Sex Differences in Achievement and Ability• Reading and mathematics• Innate differences• Different brain functioning• Math anxiety and fear of success
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Adolescent Problems
• Adolescence as a Modern Phenomenon• Alcohol and Other Drug Use• Suicide• Pregnancy and STDs• Delinquency and Violence