ST PAUL'S CATHOLIC SEMINARY, SOWUTUOM
(FACULTY OF ARTS)
Principles of social organization
THE ROLE OF THE FAMILY AND RELIGION AS AGENTS OF SOCIALIZATION.
SEFA OPOKU FELIX
(PHILOSOPHY one)
Mr. john aggrey
(LECTURER)
ACCRA, november, 2015.
Human beings as compared with other creatures did not enter the world as already finished or complete beings. We come amazingly as unfinished beings. We are not born complete humans but become complete with the passage of time due to our association and interaction with other social factors. Our humanness is a social product realised in the never ending process of socialization. What then is the concept of socialization?
Socialization is defined in the Oxford Dictionary of Sociology (2005), as "the process by which we learn to become members of society, both by internalizing the norms and values of society, and also by learning to perform our social roles". Elkin and Handel (1972), define socialization as "the process which someone learns the ways of a given society or social group so that he can function within it". Peter Berger in his Invitation to Sociology (1974), defined socialization as the "process by which a child learns to be a participant member of society". Ian Robertson (1987) defines socialization as the "process of social interaction through which people acquire personality and learn the way of life of their society". It is through socialization that the individual learns the normative values, beliefs, skills, languages and other essential patterns of thought and action that is relevant for social life.
As a process by which cultural and behaviour pattern of a particular society is transmitted from one generation to another for social perpetuation, a process of internalization, where individuals are inducted and absorbed into one's social and physical environment do take place. Socialization affords society the privilege to reproduce itself socially and biologically, perpetuating itself from one generation to another. Since in the words of Peter Berger (1974),
Per the importance society attaches to the process of socialization, some agents have been identified as those to monitor and facilitate it. The family, school, peer groups, religion, work place and mass media are notable state apparatus tasked with the responsibility of overseeing this all important process. The impulse of this piece would be on two of such agents of socialization- the role of the family and religion in the process of socialization, particularly in the contemporary Ghanaian society.
Socialization as it were, is into certain specific social values within the community or the group that an individual finds his/herself. In whatever 'social specie', the home being the virtual microcosm of the wider country is the most effective unit. The Ghanaian family is an extended one, comprising a large number of people to even serve as replacement for parents in their absence. The composition of the family may vary according to the family system, that is to say, whether the family is matrilineal or patrilineal; and whether it is monogamous or polygamous. Taking the individuals that form the family be it whatever type, the mother is in fact the child's most immediate and significant point of contact. It is from this warm relationship between mother and child that paves way for the learning or socialization process to begin. Once the child learns basic trust from the mother, the child extends his domain to close acquaintances. In the family and through the instrumentality of the mother, father, brothers and sisters, uncles, aunties, among others, the foundation, as regards the identity of the child, determined usually by the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual make up is discovered.
In that awakening to identity, the child becomes aware first of his/her gender, be it male or female. As the child grows and having been made aware of his gender, those roles peculiar or expected of him/her are made known. At the very onset of the child's development, he/she is coached around certain ways befitting his/her status in society. In the previous years gone, in almost every part of Ghana, the male child is placed under the tutelage of the father who teaches the son whatever skill he is best at, so that the son of a hunter finally becomes a hunter. The female child is being mentored by the mother who gives the daughter training on how to keep a home and also engage in petty works such as farming, weaving, among others. In Ghana as it stands now, formal education has taken the place of the previous situation. Initially it was the male child who was deemed eligible to go to school. With the passage of time, equal access was given to all.
The individual having realised his identity in the family then begins to learn in general terms some cherished norms and values of society, trying to practice them. The learning that takes place at the initial stages is mostly done through observance of things happening around him/her. The child for instance learns to use the right hand for receiving items been given to him/her and uses the right hand to eat as well. He/she learns to wash his/her hands before and after meals, learns how to brush his/her teeth, among others. These and other lifestyles are learnt at a very tender age sometimes unconsciously.
In the same family, the individual comes to learn about emotional traits as well. Traits such as love, hatred, happiness, sadness, anger, peace, among others are perceived and the distinction among them learnt. Per the circumstances the growing individual is exposed to, he/she grasps and comes to appreciate his/her own emotional dimensions as well as that of others. The individual begins to associate certain feelings to certain happenings and read meanings into certain things. The treatment that an individual receives from parents or whoever is in control, if not checked and it turns to be negative tends to instil fear, doubts, shame and low self-esteem of the individual.
Through the dynamics of reward and punishment, the individual is brought knowledge of good and evil deeds. Here, the individual receives chastisement for the wrong done but is praised, rewarded and admired for the good done. Virtues such as honesty, hard work, courage, modesty, altruism, and other such qualities cherished by society are recommended for the younger ones to imbibe. As stated earlier, the learning that takes place in the family is done mainly through observation and a kind of mentorship. The younger ones usually tend to follow and do those things that they see the older ones do.
It is important to keep in mind however, that, families do not socialize in a vacuum. Many social factors impact how a family raises its children. For instance, through the use of imagination, we could recognise that individual behaviours are affected by the historical period in which they took place. Some years ago, it would not have been considered especially strict for a father to hit his son with a belt if he misbehaved, but today, the same action might be considered child abuse. Sociologists recognise that race, social class, religion and other social factors play an important role in socialization.
On the role of religion in socialization particularly in the Ghanaian context, pretty much could be said. First, the then Gold Coast, and modern day Ghana is one country that is very religious, that one may not be far from correct to assert that the Ghanaian is highly superstitious, for we tend to link almost every single activity or occurrence to some supernatural powers. "Religion, particularly Christianity, has become a potent social force in every facet of Ghanaian life, from family life, economic activities, occupation, health to education" (Fredua-kwarteng). In Ghana, people are judged based on church attendance and the religion that an individual belongs to. The main religion in Ghana is Christianity which is around 74.1% of the population in 2012 according to statistics. The secondary religion is Islam which is around 17.5% of the population. The rest of the populace are spread among the African traditional religion, Buddhism and others. Christianity is dominant in the southern part of the country with the northern part dominated by Islam. In the Ghanaian society today, almost every child is born into a religious family and is nurtured in the beliefs of the family. The child upon growth and maturity may decide to follow the creed of the family or do otherwise.
What then are the roles of religion in the socialization process? The individual who has an affiliation with any of the religious bodies in society first comes to appreciate and find meaning in life. The agents of socialization as stated above are many and each helps the individual in a way, but many a time, the fundamental and really mind bothering questions are not appropriately dealt with. The individual seems to get answers but such answers without a religious flavour are not exhaustive and as such leaves the individual wondering about so many things. It is religion that is able to deal with such issues as evil, death, sin, among others and come up with satisfying if not an exhaustive answers about them.
Linked to the point raised earlier is intimation of the individual with the idea of the sacred. Once an individual comes into contact with religion, he/she is made conscious of the invisible aspect of life and the influence they tend to yield on us. It is in the church, mosque or the shrine that the individual gets confirmation or rejection of some hearsays and unfounded superstitions circulating in society.
Religion serves as aground which provides a positive framework which helps the individual to bear with life. To be able to manage the many frustrations and miseries of life, the individual needs religion. It teaches one to be balance and firm, not so much overwhelmed by the negativities of life. The strength needed to be able to sail on in the face of difficulties, firm hope in hopeless situations, among others are all derived from religion.
Religion as an integrative social force shapes collective belief into collective identity. Religious rituals like weddings, child dedication, burials and birth day celebration promotes group solidarity and cohesion. Identification with a particular religious group, gives the votaries a sense of belonging. It also promotes the feelings of exclusion to those who are outside the group. People who live in a place where their religion is not a dominant culture have a feeling of estrangement and alienation.
Moreover, the individual throughout his/her life span is at every point in time connected with religion. It is like our life is intertwined with religion. This is made evident especially in the importance we as a people attach to the celebration of some rites of passages. Right from the birth of a child to attainment of puberty, to marriage, old age through to death, comes with some rites associated with. There are rites of initiation such as naming ceremony, puberty rites, among others. Also is rite of marriage, widowhood, funeral rite, among others. In all these celebrations, it is religion that plays a major role in there. At every point in time throughout life, the individual walks sideways with religion.
Studies have shown that social and cultural development in any society is not possible without the full integration of the religious dimension of social life. Even in the primitive society after food gathering the most persistent social inclination was the religious nature of man. Admittedly, even in modern society, after the satisfaction of man's basic need; food, water, and shelter, the religious drive which is almost instinctual dominates the human person from cradle to old age. Social progress cannot be achieved in isolation of religious elements. The human society can only achieve cultural progress when all the component institutions are integrated for holistic development. It is unfortunate that some scholars because of anti-religious orientation have denied religion its position as a veritable platform for socialization. If socialization is the process by which society achieves cultural continuity and perpetuates itself, then it is counter-productive to exclude religion from the things to be imparted to posterity.
By this far we have analysed the important roles both the family and religion play as agents of socialization. Per the prevailing circumstances today, one does well to notice the threat that both family and religion have come under. Both are beset with serious challenges in our world now. The family which is the basic unit that ensures that the individual gets that strong foundation is at the verge of breaking down. With pressing issues such as the legalisation of same sex marriages, coupled with the breakdown of the extended family and the unfriendly economic and political environment prevalent today have rendered the family itself shaky and its place insignificant. Even in the rare cases today in societies where the family system is that vibrant, the younger generations of today tend to be modelling their lives not on the lines of family ties but what they observe from outside. The whole world now through technological advancement turning into a global village is also a factor. Similarly in the church, mosque or shrine, regard for religion is gradually fading. Even places where they seem to be flourishing, it has become a mere formality as its intended impact is not actually felt. Many of us are mere churchgoers but not Christians as we call ourselves. Going to church is viewed as something prestigious and formal and so I go to church, but not that I am willing to live the Christian life. The church herself as an institution, particularly the Catholic Church faces some serious challenges that need to be addressed. Particularly with the recent cases of sex scandals involving the clergy, suicide among the clergy and gross misappropriation of funds by some leaders just to mention a few are all issues worth considering.
By way of conclusion, socialization as discussed above is such an importance mechanism of every society. For it is that which ensures sustenance and perpetuation of society alongside its social actors. The family and religion, as discussed above are two agents of socialization that are very key in that process, particularly in our context where we are generally enthused about affairs of religion and family. Regardless of the seeming insurmountable challenges faced by both agents, shall we all as individual social actors do all that is within our ability to ensure that these two institutions are as effective as they were intended to be.
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