1. Socialization: The Producer of Culture

2. Recall
We discussed What Makes Us and what influences human behaviour over the past few days
Today, we will examine how Culture perpetuates itself from generation to generation
Anthropologists often regard culture as an Agent of Socialization, and Kinship Systems as the main transmitter

3. Socialization & it’s Agents
Socialization is a continuous process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity & learns the norms, values, behaviour, and social skills appropriate to their social position
Socialization takes place through interactions w/ others (sometimes referred to as social contact)
Interactions can be intentional or unintentional
Anthropologists (as well as sociologists & social psychologists) believe there are a number of ways or methods in which PPL become socialized
These methods of socialization are called agents of socialization

4. Socialization Terminology
Norms: rules that indicate what ppl should do or how they should act
Values: standards of what is considered right & wrong
Status: the position a person has w/in a social institution
Primary Agents of Socialization
Are the most important agents of socialization /c they shape the life/behaviour of individual’s when they are children
Includes - Family & Friends
Secondary Agents of Socialization
Are typically institutions (places) that help an individual find their place in society
Includes - school, work, religion

5. Kinship Systems
Anthropologists believe kinship systems (family) is the most important agent of socialization
Why Kinship?
Kinship determines
Whom we are related too
Whom we must show respect too
Who owes respect to you
Family relationships define who we are as individuals & how we see others in their society

6. What Kinship Looks Like

7. Types of Kinship Systems & Key Terms
Matrilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through their mothers
Patrilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through their fathers
Bilineal: ppl trace their ancestry through both parents
Lineage: male relatives capable of tracing their ancestry back to one direct person
Clan: group of several lineages in which ppl are related but cannot always trace exact ancestral relationships

8. Stop & Reflect What kinship system does your family follow?
How does your kinship system determine yours sense of self?
How would immigration and/or emigration affect kinship systems?

9. Marriage: Perpetuator of Socialization
Marriage is a cultural institution in MOST cultures
Varies in appearance & practice b/w cultures
Anthropologists agree that marriage defines social relationships to provide for the survival & socialization of children
It defines rights & obligations of 2 PPL in terms of sex, reproduction, work and social roles
Creates new relationships b/w families & kin groups

10. Marriage in Canada: Do You Know it’s History?
As a class let’s discuss the following questions
What would marriage look like in prior to 1960?
(i.e. ethnically, religiously, social class, etc)
What happened to children born out of wedlock?
What type of marriage became popular after 1960?
How have marriages changed since the 1990s?
What important marriage function, is NOT being fulfilled by many couples today?

11. Arranged Marriage, the Most Common?
Arranged marriages are set-up by someone other than the people getting married
Interesting fact: 5-7% of arranged marriages fail, 50% of nonarranged marriages fail
Why?
Shaped by beliefs that child-rearing, economic relationships, & uniting kin groups are more important than love

12. Types of Marriage
Monogamy: relationship where an individual has 1 partner
Polygamy: marriage that involves multiple partners
Polygyny: marriage b/w 1 husband & multiple wives (permitted in 80% of world cultures)
Polyandry: marriage b/w 1 wife & multiple husbands (practiced in less than 1% of all world cultures)
What types of marriage are legal in Canada?
Why is this form of marriage strange considering the N. American divorce rate?

13. Family Roles & Cultures
W/ marriage comes families
Family members have specific roles
Father, mother, son, daughter, etc…
Roles differ depending on culture hwr,
ALL members have obligations to family
Obligations may be to nuclear members or extended members (aunts, uncles, etc)
These roles also shape how we act & view the world
Think about the following roles & who performs them in your house; repairs, cleaning, income, meal prep, organizing activities, etc…
What roles do you play?
What obligations do you have w/in each role?

14. Family Roles & Self-Concept
How do families influence our self-concept?
Studies on Western & Eastern societies show similarities & differences
Similarities
Differences
PPL perceive self positively
PPL feel that they are good or valuable
Self-enhancement
Westerners see themselves more positively than they really are
Blame for a bad mark is typically placed elsewhere
Mistake, bad luck, teacher’s fault
Asian culture motivated by shame
Motivates to avoid bad marks
To be “good” you avoid humiliation (better study!)

15. Kinship & Marriage
Using your knowledge of kinship systems & marriage to answer the following questions
How does kinship & marriage influence or shape an individual’s identity?
Explain how an individual growing up in a matrilineal-polyandry culture may view the world differently than someone from a bilineal- monogamous culture?
According to anthropologists, how are social norms, values, and behaviours transferred from one generation to the next?