Five Agents of Socialization: Family, Peers, School, Media, Religions

Effects of Socialization
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Introduction
It is undeniable that who we are today and who we would be in the future are due to the regular interactions that we have with other individuals. A process that has been happening ever since we were a child, and one also called “socialization.” Through socialization, we learn how to act and think within the confines of societal norms. Anything that does not play within these rules is then called as deviant and is dealt with through a variety of things from simple rejection to more serious repercussions provided by the system (Shah, n.d.). Nonetheless, the institutions that govern how we shape our minds are called “agents of socialization.” This includes the family, peers, school, media, and religions, which are the primary sources of interactions leading to their definition of the 'should' and the 'should not' of society (Gauttai, n.d.).
In light of these five institutions, I believe that the most influential one is the family. The family is the basic unit of society and the one mostly present through the early process of upbringing. In my case, my family has taught me the values that I need to have in interacting with others. They taught me how to respect the elderly, treat others nicely, and say ‘please’ in times that I want something, among others. While I was also exposed to other institutions, I believe that my family and all that I’ve learned by socializing with them has shaped all that ones that succeeded after.
While growing up, I also played with a lot of peers and exposed to a significant content of media. When I entered high school (and college), my inte...