Introduction
Humans are shaped and influenced by the sociocultural structures in their surroundings throughout their lifetimes. I have learned just how much these frameworks impact my day-to-day life and my life story. Each person may comprehend how society operates with the aid of sociological principles. After careful consideration of some sociological issues, I came to appreciate the importance of a few, including socialization, norms, significant others, and urbanization.
The Importance of Sociocultural Structures to Humans
Urbanization
The idea of urbanization is the first that has had an immense effect on my life. According to Kendall (2018), this is the process by which an increasing number of people decide to reside in cities rather than rural areas. In my experience, leaving my small, close-knit hometown to relocate to a busy city exposed me to a broader range of cultures, social mores, and increased anonymity. The fast-paced environment of the town has shaped my sense of time and urgency, leading to a greater focus on efficiency and production.
Social Norms
Norms are another idea that I have seen in action in my life. Here, norms refer to recognized codes of conduct or behavior standards (Kendall, 2018). Prescriptive norms outline appropriate and permissible conduct (White, 2020). Conversely, proscriptive standards outline what behavior is wrong or inappropriate (White, 2020). I have encountered a range of norms in my lifetime, and these have affected my conduct and way of thinking. For example, I have grown used to arriving on time because it is socially unacceptable to be late for appointments in the communities that I grew up in.
Significant Others
Moving forward, there are other ideas that most people come across, namely significant others. According to Kendall (2018), significant others are those who are very important to a person’s growth and whose love, support, and approval are especially desired. My family and friends are considered my significant others. These are the people who taught me essential ideals and helped to mold me into the person I am today. Each significant other also helped me grow personally, broadened my horizons, and offered a great deal of support and counsel.
Socialization Agents
The final idea that is crucial concerns socialization agents. Agents of socialization are the persons, institutions, or partnerships that provide people with the knowledge and abilities necessary to participate in society (Kendall, 2018). My family was a big part of my socialization process since they introduced me to cultural norms, practices, and beliefs at a young age. The range of abilities, interpersonal relationships, and institutional standards I have experienced during my formal schooling have also had an impact on my socialization and intellectual development. Lastly, the media has a role in shaping my personality and my comprehension of standards and values.
Conclusion
In summary, upon a thorough analysis of a number of sociological issues, I value a few, including urbanization, norms, significant others, and socialization agents. Since I relocated from a smaller town to a city, the first notion that has had a substantial impact on my life is urbanization. Norms are another idea that I have seen in my life, and I have personally witnessed the value of a norm, such as punctuality. Moving on, there are other ideas that most people come across, including significant others, which include friends and family. The fourth and last idea that is crucial is about socialization agents, which can consist of family, the media, and schooling.
References
Kendall, D. E. (2018). Sociology in our times: The essentials (11th ed.). Cengage Learning.
White, L. T. (2020). Culture conscious: Briefings on culture, cognition, and behavior. Wiley.