Exploring Societal Power: Decisions on Children & Socialization

This sociology essay examines how societal power is evident in decisions related to childbearing, naming, and the socialization of children. It argues that the perception of childbearing within a society influences the decision to have children. Child naming is also deeply affected by societal norms and taboos, with names carrying significant cultural weight. Furthermore, the essay highlights the role of socialization agents, such as family, peers, schools, and media, in shaping a child's character and integrating them into society. The conclusion emphasizes that the power of society, manifested through these aspects, significantly impacts an individual's development and integration into the social fabric. Desklib offers similar solved assignments and resources for students.

Sociology
Sociology
Name
Professor
Course
Date

Sociology
Introduction
A society is a group of people or individuals that are often involved in a constant and
persistent social interaction. These people often share a common geographical region. In each
and every society there are certain patterns of interactions that are evident. This write-up aims at
looking at why the power of the society is evident in decisions to bear children, to name that
child and to socialize that child through agents of socialization.
Why the power of society is evident in decision to bear a child
Child bearing is not just the aspect of giving birth to a child. It’s a combination of stages
that involve pregnancy, birth and child rearing. It basically involves all the preliminary stages of
bringing up and taking care of a child (Hayford, Guzzo, Kusunoki, Barber, 2016).Child bearing
is perceived very differently by different people in the society. In mist occasions expectant
mothers have the notion of being precious and they think that they should be treated that way,
this has been evident not only in some recent years but also in the past. The power of society is
therefore present in the decision to bear a child in that a decision made to bear a child derives its
origin form the perception that the entire society has on child bearing. It is this perception that
triggers the act of child bearing and its influence on parties involved.
Why the power of society is evident in naming of a child
Child naming has been considered to be very sensitive and very significant. A name
given to a child is carefully chosen by the parents (Leavitt, 2016). Different names given to
different children upon birth have totally different meanings. Each child is named by their
parents and/or guardian by considering quite a number of aspects. A name that is given to a child
really means a lot because it’s something that they will carry with them toll they become adults.

Sociology
The power of society is greatly evident in the naming of a child because depending on the
society that someone in so will the names that are given to their children depend on. In certain
societies for instance, it is a taboo to name children after certain things or giving children certain
names that are considered to be an outcast to the society (Raphael-Leff, 2018).
Why the power of society is evident in socializing a child through agents of socialization
Socialization is very important in one’s life. First and foremost socialization helps and
enables people to learn and develop skills that would help them function successfully in their
different social worlds. There are different agents of socialization and these are categorically
divided into two. The first group is the Social Group Agents and this comprises of groups that
provide the first experience of socialization. Examples of such socialization agents are; family
and peer groups. The second group is the institutional agents and these consist of various social
institutions. Examples of such socialization agents are; schools, work place, religion and mass
media.
Through these different socialization agents that a child goes through lays the power of the
society. It is through the influence of these socialization agents that a child’s character is shaped.
It is therefore important to ensure that a child undergoes through different socialization agents
that can positively help in shaping of the child’s character (Abbott & Wallace, 2016).
Conclusion
It can be concluded that the power of the society is kind of sovereign and is dependent on
quite a number of aspects such as child bearing, child naming and agents of socialization that the
child goes through or that the child is exposed to and their impact on his/her ultimate character
(Drucker, 2017).

Sociology
References
Abbott, P., & Wallace, C. (Eds.). (2016). Gender, power and sexuality. Springer.
Drucker, P. (2017). The age of discontinuity: Guidelines to our changing society. Routledge.
Gluckman, M. (2017). Politics, law and ritual in tribal society. Routledge.
Hayford, S. R., Guzzo, K. B., Kusunoki, Y., & Barber, J. S. (2016). Perceived costs and benefits
of early childbearing: New dimensions and predictive power. Perspectives on sexual and
reproductive health, 48(2), 83-91.
Leavitt, J. W. (2016). Brought to bed: childbearing in America, 1750-1950. Oxford University
Press.
Raphael-Leff, J. (2018). The psychological processes of childbearing. Routledge.