16) How has the socialization process changed in the 20th century? How have these changes affected childhood?

In the 20^th century socialization occurs through human interac­tions. We will, of course, learn a great deal from those people most important in our lives— immediate family members, best friends, teach­ers, and so forth. But we also learn from people we see on the street, on television, and in films and magazines. Through interacting with people as well as through our own observations, we dis­cover how to behave "properly" and what to ex­pect from others if we follow (or challenge) society's norms and values.

Socialization affects the overall cultural prac­tices of a society, and it also shapes the image that we hold of ourselves. For example, in the United States, a person who is viewed as "too heavy" or "too short" does not conform to the ideal cultural standard. If he or she is judged unattractive, the evaluation can significantly influence the person's self-esteem. In this sense, socialization experi­ences can have an impact on the shaping of peo­ple's personalities. In everyday speech, the term personality is used to refer to a person's typical patterns of attitudes, needs, characteristics, and behavior.

This chapter will examine the role of socializa­tion in human development. It will begin by ana­lyzing the debate over the relative influence of heredity and environmental factors. Particular attention will be given to how people develop per­ceptions, feelings, and beliefs about themselves. The chapter will explore the lifelong nature of the socialization process as well as important agents of socialization, among them the family, schools, and the media. Finally, the social policy section will focus on day care for young children as a socialization experience.

17) Patriarchy and sexual division of labour

Patriarchy (rule by fathers) is a social system in which the male is the primary authority figure central to social organization and the central roles of political leadership, moral authority, and control of property, and where fathers hold authority over women and children. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination. Many patriarchal societies are also patrilineal, meaning that property and title are inherited by the male lineage. The female equivalent is matriarchy.

Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the social, legal, political, and economic organization of a range of different cultures. Patriarchy also has a strong influence on modern civilization, although many cultures have moved towards a more egalitarian social system over the past century

sexual division of labour A term referring to the specialized gender roles of male breadwinner and female housewife; or, in the terminology of Talcott Parsons (Family, Socialisation and Interaction Process, 1956), the ‘instrumental’ and ‘expressive’ roles. This particular division of labour by sex is usually associated with the separation of workplace from home which followed industrialization in the West. Anthropological research shows that most pre-industrial societies also distinguish ‘men's tasks’ from ‘women's tasks’, although the sexual division of labour so identified may not correspond to the Western stereotype described above. For example, in some societies growing crops and weaving are tasks for women, whereas hunting and making pots are the responsibility of men.