Write on family as an agency of socialization.

1. The family is the main agency of socialization in the first phase of life (i.e. the primary stage). It is the smallest unit of society and represents in all respects.

2. The family has in its fold all the norms, values, behaviour patterns, statuses and roles of soceity. Therefore, the role of family in socializing individuals to become a part of society is uppermost.

3. The role of family in socialization has been greatly recognized by C.H. Cooley. The child-observes that every individuals in the family is assigned a status such as a father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife, etc. All the family members behave according to the defined roles associated with their statuses.

4. The child (as time passes) indentifies himself/herself with different personal statuses and their roles in the family and internalizes them. The child does so as to be capable of and ready for behaving in society according to accepted patterns.

5. By the time, child moves out of family to participate in social activities in society at large he/she has learnt most of socially accepted behaviour patterns.