Sumblog 8- socialization

This picture is a prime example of how we start socializing from the day we are born. We say words like "big" and "strong" to young boys and we say words like "little" and "cute" to baby girls. From birth we have words influencing who we are, what we act like, what we wear, and what we play with. Little boys are given trucks, blocks, and clothes with sports on them and they are all wrapped up in something blue. While girls, on the other hand, are given dolls, easy-bake ovens, and cute holiday dresses with pink everywhere. Children learn quickly what their role is how they should act according to their gender.

            From little on more things start to contribute to the socialization process. Things like culture, family, religion, school, and friends are agents of socialization and they teach us how to act, how to speak, how to dress, and how to think. But what would we be with out all of these filters? George Herbert Mead would describe this as the I. The I is our most raw, purest, unfiltered self. It is what our mind is without the influence of anything else. Mead would argue that this is who you truly are. The Me, on the other hand, is who  you are after you’ve adjusted to the world around you. After all of those filters influenced your thoughts and behaviors.

            For example, I remember when my brother Cory and I were very young he would play Barbies with me. There are a few things that happened. When we played, he always got the Ken doll, the Jeep, and the dog. Even though he was playing with “girlie” toys, he chose to use only the most masculine ones, while I played with Barbie and her pink convertible.  Another thing that happened was when my other more older brother Eric would come around, Cory would deny ever playing Barbies with me. Cory’s I told him, “ya, let’s play Barbies. I can be the Ken doll!” Cory was allowed to play because I was so young and what did I know? My opinion didn’t matter to him so he could act in his most pure form. But, when anyone else came into the picture, Cory’s Me said, “Boys don’t play Barbies!” At this age he was conflicted between his I and his Me. What I find interesting is that now at age 24 Cory probably would never have the urge to play Barbies because the Me has become so strong that it surpressed the his I.  It is crazy how socialization changes who we would otherwise be.