Question

Choose two agents of socialization: family, teachers, peers, religion, work, or mass media. Discuss the various ways that your chosen agents have constructed your gendered selves. Provide specific examples of their influence on you. Do you believe that their influence was positive or negative, and how?

Answer 1

There are many agents who help with socialization. Family, friends, teachers, peers, religion, work collegues etc.

My family has helped me become a confident woman in varous ways. My parents never differentiated between me and my brother and never said that household chores are different for both of us. We both had to wash dishes, dust, clean the house whenever needed. They always made me feel like an equal as a female in the Indian society. While some of my classmates faced discrimination in terms of gender (at home) I never had to experience this and therefore it helped make me a confident and independent woman.

My teachers were also there to make me believe that I could achieve anything I want if I worked hard for it. They would encourage me to try my best and support me whenever needed. Again, they never differentiated between boys and girls in the classroom and were unbiased. This was a very positive influence for me and helped shape me into a better person and a role model for children inthe society.