Introduction
Socialization is a term that is used to refer to how an individual inherits and disseminates norms, customs, and beliefs. In the life of an individual, several factors may affect his /her process of socialization. For instance, family, school, peers, religion, government, and tradition have played a critical role in shaping up my process of socialization. These factors have played a critical role in my growth and development. Family and peers are perhaps the main factors of socialization that have influenced me the most.
Family
I was born and raised in a family unit that consisted of a father, mother, and my fellow siblings. Occasionally, relatives would come to our home for a visit. At times, we would visit them in their homes. As a result, much of the interactions that I had in the early years of my life were with my family members. It is through these interactions that I developed my basic social skills and characters.
The first thing that I developed as a result of interacting with my family members is language. English was the first language that I learned. It was the only language that was used in my family. Also, I developed an accent and word pronunciation that was similar to that of my family members.
The religion and culture that I embrace at the present moment are a result of the interaction that I had with my family. I am a believer in the same religion as my parents. I also adopted the same culture and beliefs as my parents. When I was young, my parents used to tell me stories. These stories used to teach me a lot about our culture and religion. The lessons that I learned from them acted the rules and guidelines of my life.
Peers
I have been socializing with my peers for as long as I can remember. It is through them that I have modified most of my thoughts and beliefs. As I interacted with them, I had the chance to develop relationships and make friends without the supervision of my parents or any other family member. In the process, I learned the personality of good people who could be good friends or bad friends. My peers also played a significant role in the development of my character. Through their influence, I engaged myself in many activities. This included sports, recreation activities, and vices. I adopted some and dropped others.
I still engage in some activities that were introduced to me by my peers. This includes playing basketball and reading novels. Finally, my peers play a significant role in my decision-making process. Before deciding on what to do, I normally consult my closest friends. As a result, I will make a final decision after getting their advice and opinion on the issue at hand. However, I have never changed my character or beliefs so that I can fit within a certain social group.
Conclusion
I tend to spend a lot of time with my family and friends. I do value them a lot. As a result of the constant interaction that we have, they have managed to influence my social skills and behavior. As a result, they have played an important role in determining the kind of person that I am at the present moment.