Understanding socialization

Socialization is one of the most important elements in sociology, since it can be used to estimate the trajectory of a human being. This capsule, aimed at baccalaureate students, recalls the essential characteristics of this notion. First of all, it evokes the definition: "The process by which the individual is constructed by the society in which he or she lives." This means that the child, teenager or adult will shape his or her ways of thinking, doing and being according to the social situation in which he or she finds himself or herself.

For example, a young Spaniard will know that restaurants open much later in the evening than those in France or North America. This socialization takes place by impregnation, i.e. by passively observing the behavior and words of others, and also by inculcation, which means that it's the social environment that makes explicit which actions are appreciated and which are punished.

Obviously, the type of family an individual finds himself in will have a major impact on what happens next. Parents who teach see a higher success rate in their children's general baccalaureate. Family composition, monetary and cultural capital, sibling size and other factors also play a role in socialization.

Finally, it allows us to note probable and improbable individual trajectories. For example, the children of senior executives are more likely to end up in the grandes écoles than those from working-class backgrounds. Fortunately, this doesn't mean that the opposite isn't possible, but statistically it's much rarer.

Running time: 11 minutes