Socialization is the means through which individuals learn throughout their lives, the values and principles contained in their environment, incorporating them into their personality, allowing them to function successfully within society. Socialization is possible due to certain social agents such as the family, schools and the media.
Both the family and the school represent the most important part of the socialization process, since it is the first social stage to which the person has access. The importance of socialization resides in that through it, the individual becomes a member of society, on the other hand, society needs people, so that they can transmit and maintain culture, customs and values throughout of time.
Socialization comprises two stages: the primary, secondary and tertiary stage.
Primary socialization: is one where the person adopts the first intellectual and social skills. This stage includes the first years of life, that is to say, his childhood and his infancy by being linked with his family environment. This stage is vital for good personal and mental development, as well as the good development of your social life, which will allow you to establish your identity.
Secondary socialization: it is one that aims to give the person a different way of perceiving reality, it is no longer the vision of mom and dad, or their other family members, but rather those of other socializing agents who will be in charge to expand knowledge; They are relationships with people outside the family circle. This stage begins at the end of the person's infantile phase. Some of the socializing agents in this cycle are teachers, friends, etc.
At present, the creation of a third stage of socialization is under debate, which would be called the tertiary stage or re-socialization procedure. This process would have the function of social reintegration, applicable in cases of people who have deviated from the rules and have adopted criminal behaviors. The purpose of the tertiary stage would be to readapt the behavior of this law-breaking subject. The socializing agents, who in this case would have the responsibility of helping in these cases, would be: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, educators, etc.
