Agents of socialization are vital as they shape our identity. Through primary socialization and secondary socialization we are able to go through the process of finding our identity. The book Farmworkers Daughters features agents of socialization such as family, school, peer relationships, and media, which I believe has shaped the identity of not only the author, Rose Guilbault, but also mine as well.
During primary socialization, which occurs in infancy and childhood, family becomes the main agent of socialization, therefore become our earliest influence. My parents had a huge influence on my identity, in the early stages of my life. My father being a hardworking and responsible man tried to instill the same values to me at a young age. He has taught to always take responsibility for my own actions, and that in order to get what I want, I would have to work hard. My dad was a strong father figure in my life, unlike Rose's biological father Tito who was “...away so much he was nothing more than a tall shadow in the doorway, an impatient voice in the dark.” Contrary to my dad, who was there throughout my childhood, Tito had little to do with Rose's childhood. Rose's dad often resented her, something I never felt with mine. However, Rose also had a another influential male figure in her life Jose her stepfather, who made up for her biological father who was always being gone. Also both our mothers played a significant role in our lives and identities. They fit the archetype nurturer, being that they were protective and thoughtful. They often provided us with useful and valuable advice when we needed it. Similar to Rose's mother, my mother was caring and supportive. While Rose's mother didn't encourage her going off to college, my mother supported my wanting to receive a higher education. I find it ambitious of Rose to pursue a college degree without her mothers support; contrarily, I do not know if I would have had the same courage to go against my mothers preference. Ultimately we had a great relationships with our parents. Family is important to socialization because the experience of the infant and young child is shaped more or less exclusively with in it.
As we progress later in life to secondary socialization, school becomes another important socializing agent. School as I see it is a stepping stone to a brighter future which I believe Rose would agree with. Rose did not want to be stuck in King City working lousy low wage jobs so instead she was determined to go to college and eventually become a journalist. With the help of mentors and teachers along the way she was able to make her dreams come true and was even fortunate enough to write a book about her life. Although there were some hardships along the way especially during her 4th grade year, Rose persevered and even managed to learned a few things about herself. According to Rose, her 4th grade teacher Mrs. Rojas, who set high standard for her students, gave her something more intangible, “the seed of self-worth, acceptance, and pride in who I was were planted so subtly that I didn't even realize they were growing until many years later, when I found them rooted inside.” Although not all teachers make a difference to in our lives, in Rose's experience with Mrs. Rojas she was able to get a sense of her identity, thou not realizing it from the start. I myself I want a bright future, which is why I am attending college. I started to care a great deal about school at an early age. My parents encouraged me to do well, which led me to always try my hardest even when it gets tough and to never give up. That is probably how I developed my mentality that is still with me today. I always strive to do well in school and put my best effort. I always focus on whatever I was doing and applied the skills I have learned. Also, school is often where peer groups are formed, therefore we socialize with those who share the same interest and appeal to us.
Since most individuals spend a great deal of their day at school they generally try appeal to the expectations of certain peer groups. When I moved to Alaska from California, I realized that I had a different taste in clothes and stuff as girls in Alaska. I remember sporting matching barbie shoes and backpack to my first day of second grade in Alaska. I recalled other girls whispering in each others ears about my outfit. I was certain it was not because they liked it but of course, I wanted to fit in so I hoped for the best. Rose also had a similar experience including barbies. One day when Mona suggested they bring their dolls to play at recess, Rose brought a stuffed old baby doll desperately wanting to fit in, but only to be criticized by her peers for not having a barbie. In a school setting, one usually tries to impress his or her peers. My aunt once quoted “tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are” and explained that it simply meant that the kind of personality you have will reflect on the kind of people you choose to be around and show the type of person you are. I definitely would agree that your peers define who you are to an extent. Because similar people go to the same places and do the same things. Why else would you be friends with them if you did not share the same interests. Also, the kind of people you surround your self with can change what your like, because we all know that peers have a significant amount of influence on you. So it goes with the saying as well, “birds of the same feathers flock together.” People tend to flock to people similar to them, and then pick up on/give off habits like their friends. Peers during the secondary socialization influence you much more than your parents do because you are with them much more than you are with your parents.
Another socializing agency is peer groups, which consist of individuals of similar age. Peer relationships have a significant effect even beyond childhood and adolescence. The peer groups importance in socialization is shaping the individuals' attitudes and behavior. When I moved from California to Alaska, I had to make new friends, which was hard at first. I did not know anyone but I wanted to fit in. I noticed girls were divided into cliques and would only socialized with people within their circle. I went through many groups before I finally found the one I had most in common with, which I still happened to be friends with today. Through common interests like sports and activities, it was easy to be friends with other girls on the team. Likewise, Rose had some trouble finding her niche. Living on the farm secluded from everyone else, it was hard for her to befriend others. She wanted to fit in and finally felt that sense of entitlement when she became friends with Judy and the rest of her friends, through a mutual interest the Beatles. When she found out that they were in a band called “Screamies” she also wanted to join the band. Rose also began to dressed like them and engaged in activities they did. However the girls grew apart and it wasn't long til she lost interest in them, mentioning “they were just like everyone else—small town girls, satisfied with small dreams.” Rose learns that although friends share the same interest, in order to find your identity you do not have be an exact replica of them and that it is okay to expect more of yourself and have bigger dreams or make other friends. Later she becomes friends with a different set of girls Karen and Erline.
An interesting and relatively new source of socialization is found through media. There is no doubt that media has big influence on our society today. Nowadays media through printed documents, television, and radio are a big deal and is used more then ever. Whether your watching the news on t.v. or simply watching your favorite t.v. show it is still influencing you in one way or the other. Same goes for the radio or music, it is not the genre that matter but how you interpret it or let it make a difference to your life. Rose and others around her were hugely influenced by television, music, and magazines. She often would watch her favorite shows on a daily basis and when she could not watch it at home she would often go to her neighbors or relatives house just so she would not miss it. She was obsessed and begged to borrow the t.v. set just to watch the Mickey Mouse Club. After an incident in which she borrow others t.v. Rose got yelled at by her mom and was told “Why you little pest! You can't bother people for their TVs!” In this scene it is apparent how media is influential to her identity. Rose goes on to explain that the first TV symbolized our connection to America, our new window to a new culture. Music as well was important to Rose, she was a huge fan of the Beatles and even made friends with other Beatle fans. Magazines such as the sears catalogs played a role in making them work hard for
what they wanted. The sears catalog included things which they envied, but could be bought with hard work. It symbolized a book that made them believe everything was reachable and theirs to have, just as it was for every other family in America. Similarly, the media has had the same affect on me. Watching my favorite shows on t.v. I take away stuff from the show and incorporate with myself if it relates, how I might act towards other people, their styles, and much more. Through music, me and my friends are able to have a good time in the car or wherever we are. From magazines, I able to know new trends in the fashion world, that might essentially influence me, or perhaps read about worldly issues going on in different countries because according to Mill's we should understand the time period in which we live in. Therefore media is another good source of finding ones identity.
With the help of agents of socialization along with personal experiences we acquire bits of our identity over our lifetime. Through these self discoveries we learn more about ourselves and ultimately express our individuality. The on going journey of exploring one selves is what makes life an interesting and worthwhile expedition.
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