Socialization

    Socialization is roughly defined as the process of internalizing the norms, values, and beliefs of your society. Studies of feral and isolated children clearly indicate that social contact and exposure to agents of socialization (family, school, the media, etc.) is necessary for the process of socialization to occur. A related concept, referred to as resocialization, occurs when an individual has to replace internalized norms, values, and beliefs with a new set of norms, values, and beliefs as part of a transition in the life course (moving to a new place, divorce, death of a loved one, getting fired and having to get a new job, etc.) or from exposure to a total institution (mental institution, prison, the military, a convent, etc.). Many total institutions also utilize degradation ceremonies to attempt to erase elements of your old identity in order to help create a new identity that fits more with the total institution. Describe in detail a process of resocialization that you've experienced. What types of new norms, values and beliefs did you have to learn as part of the process and what norms, values, and beliefs did they replace? Describe some elements of a degradation ceremony associated with the total institution of your choosing (examples are given above). How do these total institutions attempt to strip away elements of your individuality or sense of identity in order to create a new identity?