TOPIC 1: SOCIALISATION

Learners should be able to:

-Define the following terms

(a)Heritage
-It is a birth right in which people identify themselves with.
Examples of things in which people identify themselves are:
-land
-minerals
-culture
-mountains
-rivers

(b) Community
-Is a place where people collectively live, share common resources such as food, roads, water
resources, recreational centres and many others.

(c)Society
-refers to a group of people sharing the same geographical location in an organised way and
share the same culture norms, values, hopes, successes, aspirations, determination, failures and
other things.

(d)Norms
-refers to accepted standards of behaviour in a particular society.
-It also refers to expectations developed by a group of people that guide behaviour.

-Examples of expectations are:

(i)Children are expected to greet elders.
(ii)Men are expected to remove their hats when eating and when in a building.

(e)Beliefs
-refers as to the state of mind which trusts that something exists.
-It is faith and acceptance that something is true and exists.

(f)Culture
-Is a way of life that encompasses language, ideas, behaviour, and food
-Is ideas, arts, customs, beliefs, and social behaviour passed from one generation to the other.

(g)Custom
-Are habits that are continuously practised that is more or less permanent for use by a society.

(h)Media
-Is a collective term used to refer to the means of communication.
-Is the means through which different types of information are disseminated or conveyed to
people

1
- The two types of media are print and electronic media.
-Examples of media include:
(i)Newspapers
(ii)Telephone
(iii)Televisions
(iv)Internet
(v)Mobile phones e.t.c

(i)Rituals
-Are ceremonies that are repeatedly done in a set manner for example the Shangani initiation
ceremonies and other forms.

(j)WHAT IS SOCIALISATION?

-Is defined as the process whereby individuals acquire and share beliefs and culture in the society

-It can also be defined as the process whereby an infant systematically becomes a self-aware and
knowledgeable person in skills to understand and share the culture into which he or she was
born.
-It is a lifelong process during which people learn about social expectations and how to interact
with other people such as how to talk, walk, and play with others.
- It is a process of welcoming infants into the social world.
-It is a lifelong social experience by which individuals develop their potential, learn, and share
their culture.

Socialisation in low density, High density and Medium Density

Socialisation in these areas is different in terms of:

- accommodation,
-clothes to wear,
-music played
-Beliefs
-discipline and other things

Community Ceremonies and Rituals

-rain making ceremonies
-Intwasa reed dance
-Shangani initiation ceremony

Why some ceremonies are discouraged?

-Are in conflict with human and women rights issues
-They suppress the girls’ feelings
-are against Christianity

2
Explain the role of religion in the socialisation process
-There are various religions in Zimbabwe such as African Traditional religion, Christianity,
Islam, Judaism and Rastafarianism to mention a few.
-these religions’ message has the power to influence people’s beliefs and behaviour.

(a)Christianity
-provides a link between people and God-the love of God.
-it teaches critical values such as respect for parents, forgiveness, being humble e.t.c
-living a faithful life
-Good morals and behaviour and so on
(b)African Traditional Religion
-it teaches good beliefs of Africans
-beliefs are passed from one generation to the other by the word of mouth.
-teaches about vadzimu-mediators between God and people.
- its believed Vadzimu provides us with guidance and protection and that they can stop droughts
and starvation, diseases and provide good for the future.

(c) Islamic Religion

-Muslim means someone who submits to God.
-They believed in Allah.
-they believe that religion is universal
-They believed in one God
-On Ramadan day they fast and abstain from food, drinks and other physical needs like sex.
-Their founder is Prophet Mohammed
-They sacrifice to do Godly things

(d)Rastafarianism
-was founded by Marcus Garvey around 1920-1930 in Jamaica
-Rastafarians believe in the Messiarship of emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia who resisted
oppression and pride to Africa’s heritage
-its teachings are from the Old Testament and are based on Judaism and Christianity.
-They believe that God is black and that there is a black man’s God

The place of Religion in Socialisation

-it binds people together.
-it shapes their beliefs into collective identity.
-Religious gatherings foster solidarity and unity.
-Religion encourage people to share experiences
-Religion provides social control
-it avoids indecorous behaviour on prisoned people
-it encourages nation building-people will accept negative life experiences
-it teaches about holy morals-good behaviour
-it also provides comfort

3
Religion and Fundamentalism

-fundamentalism is strict adherence to set rules and regulations.

-Example people may be forced to obey certain rules in church (Christianity)
-In Islam they can kill people who do not follow it (Jihad-mass killing of people)
-the same applies in Buddhism they also kill or persecute those who do not follow its doctrines
or teachings.

The role of Media in the Socialisation Process

(a)What is media
-means of communication

Forms of Media
-media exists in two forms namely:
(i) Print media
(ii) Electronic Media

Types of Print Media

-papers
-newspapers like Daily News, Herald, Sunday Mail, H-Metro etc
-textbooks
-magazines
-billboards
-pamphlets
-Flyers

Types of Electronic Media are:

-WhatsApp
-internet
-twitter
-radio
-television
-Digital versatile disc players (DVD)
-face book
-instagram
-Skype
-Vyber

What is Media hegemony?

-is the use of media to further political desires than its purported/intended use
-to gather public opinion
-Hostile media will publish false stories(propaganda) causing alarm and hostility in society

4
The role of media in the socialisation process
-children can end up watching harmful and unlawful pornographic material/movies and videos.
-Spread of diseases through wanting to experience what they see on these media
-Media also promotes aggressive behaviour i.e. in America –most children are violent
-In Zimbabwe Children who watch these videos ended up being more bully and deviant
-Media is used by terrorists to spread propaganda e.g. in Nigeria –Boko Haram
-At times media is used to spread Hate and discrimination e.g. among HIV and AIDS patients,
Africans are portrayed as backward and poor
-Media is also used by the young as a dating platform
-It also affects proper mental development especially to people /children who continuously watch
cartoons.
-Media also affects culture especially in terms of dressing and language
-Media also give young girls a false sense of beauty-copying Riana
-Media also encouraged hacking for monetary gains.
-Media has also led to communication breakdown and family disputes since most people are now
taking most of their time watching videos and paying games instead of doing productive work.
-Irresponsible use of media has resulted in worsened cheating in marriages
-Media was also used for political reasons to threaten people in social platforms
-Media also teach people to be more critical to the government

Advantages of using media

-It provides learning and education more easily through researches on search engines like Google
-It provides entertainment and leisure through dramas, movies, sport etc
-People are more connected more easily, efficiently, reliably and affordably.
-Media promotes a democratic society when people engage in free and constructive debates
-It reaches various people in various areas at the click of a button
-It raises awareness of bad habits like human trafficking syndicates and drug abusers.
-sharing of culture and belief practices
-Globalisation-we meet new friends and business partners

Qualities of good media user

-Avoid the use of pornographic material-this is a criminal offense
-Avoid dating on internet sites
-Avoid posting information whose accuracy you cannot determine
-Avoid violent sites
-Avoid sending and circulating sensitive information whose authenticity you are not sure of
- Write positive information only
-Read and understand government policies on information circulation

Problems that arise on the use of Media in Schools

-interruption of studies-more time is spent watching movies and playing games
-students are exposed to pornographic materials
-more money is spent in upgrading phones that is topping up and swapping
-Some students become preoccupied to the extent of not doing productive work
-Can lead to misbehaviour by both adults and youngsters.

5
-media promotes cyber bullying.
-Increase in theft of cell phones

-Example of places where socialisation starts:

-A baby or foetus starts its socialisation process in the womb or during pregnancy by kicking
when she/he hears the outside noise, laughter or cries.

Importance of Socialisation

-Socialisation helps us to:

-Talk
-Walk
-Play well with others
-Feed ourselves
-Acquire norms and values

Eight Stages of Socialisation when a child is born are:

Stage I
-Pregnant mother
Stage 2
-Child is born and socialises with mother and father.
Stage 3
-Child socialises with the nuclear and extended family
Stage4
-Child socialises with friends.
Stage5
-Child reaches adolescence and succumbs to peer pressure.
Stage6
-Child matures
Stage7
-Child becomes old
Stage8
-Child finally dies.

Qualities of a well socialised child

-Greets his or her elders.
-Respects authority.
-Finds time to pray.
-Listens to other people’s views.
-Helps parents/guardians at home.

6
SOCIALISATION AT HOME AND THEIR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN A
FAMILY

List socialisation agents at home

-mother
-father
-siblings/children
-This is the first point of socialisation for an infant’s development

(a)Mother
-A mother is referred to as a woman or female adult related to a child or children to whom she
has given birth.
-Mothers provide children with their first experience of the social world.
-Mothers start socialisation process with their babies whilst in their wombs.
-Mothers teach their children hymning, talking and clapping.
-They do this in their mother tongue.
-Prepares food for the family.
-Keeps the house in order.
-Nurtures and raising the children, teaching the children expected morals and values from a
cultural and biblical perspective.

(b)Father
-Is a male adult in relation to his child or children.
-The father also plays an equally important role in the socialisation process of a child.
-The father nurtures and guides their infants.
-The father provides moral and logistical support for the family.
-The father is the role model of discipline, guidance and culture.
-The father instils a sense of security and discipline.
-He resolves disputes arising in the family.
-Provides food, shelter and financial support (money) for the family.
-Making important decisions that impact on the family in the present as well as future.

(c)Siblings (brothers and sisters)

-Refers to two or more children with one or both parents in common for example a brother and a
sister.
-Siblings interact together.
-siblings exchange clothes to show oneness.
-They obey parents
-Assisting in performing household chores i.e. in the kitchen, garden, laundry and cattle herding
-Living up to the family’s expectations
-Getting good grades at school

(d) Friends/colleagues
-Help to relate to each other.
-Help each other in times of need.
-People interact together.

7
-Exchange views based on their cultures.
-Some of the relations are families, friends, casual and romantic relations.

Roles of individuals in the community

-To obey laws and social norms and values.
-Contribution towards the economic and development of the community
-Participating in income generating projects.
-Giving back to the community.

Roles of individuals to the Nation

-To help in the nation’s development or growth.
-To get a good education in order to become better and productive citizens of tomorrow.
-To learn skills to do jobs which the country’s economy needs to develop.
-Need to know how to read, write, think, understand, analyse and discuss problems.
-To have good morals and values.

OTHER SOCIALISING AGENTS/PLACES

-The home
-The school
-The Church
-The Shops
-Religion
-Media etc

Definitions of other terms

(i)Relations
-Is a way of life in which two or more people are connected.
-Some are related by blood or community.
(ii)Idioms
-Is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words, but that has
a separate meaning of its own.
(iii)Proverb
-Is referred to as a short saying that is widely used to express an obvious truth.
(iv)Responsibility
-A duty or task that you are required or expected to do.
(v)Deviant
-Is an action of departing from accepted standards
-Deviance is the violation of society’s cultural norms and values.
(vi)Folklore
-refers to the traditional beliefs, customs and stories of the community passed through
generations by the word of mouth.
(vii)Nurturing
-Is an act of encouraging, nourishing and caring for.

8
SOCIALISATION IN DIFFERENT LIFE SETUPS

(a)High density areas

-Examples are Mabvuku and Tafara in Harare, Sakubva in Mutare etc.
-Houses are closely packed together.
-There are Ghetto Youths
-Prefer Dancehall music, Sungura and Reggae.
-school pupils go to poor schools.
-There are low income wage earners

(b)Low Density Areas

-Examples are Borrowdale in Harare, Hillside in Bulawayo, Lundi Park and Southdowns in
Gweru
-There are good houses.
-People living in these areas are educated.
-Most people living in these areas are extremely rich.
-People living there prefer soft genres and western music

(c)Rural Areas
-Examples are in Mberengwa, Gutu, Mutoko and many others.
-People live and work together.
-People share food equally.
-People do community gatherings and ceremonies.
-They also do community rituals together e.t.c