Table Of Contents
1. Meaning Of Political Socialization
2. Examples Of Political Socialization
3. Agents Of Political Socialization
Meaning Of Political Socialization
Political socialization is the process by which people of all ages acquire political knowledge, attitude and behaviour. Political socialization is a life long development process because it is the process of transmitting political culture from one generation to another.
In other words, it refers to a learning process by which norms and behaviour acceptance to a well running political system are transmitted from one generation to another.
Examples Of Political Socialization
1. Parents inculcating value of respect and obedience to their children and discussing about election and voting.
2. Participating or listening to debates on political topics like democratic and military which one is to be adopted as a system of government in Nigeria.
3. Having discussions about politicians.
4. History about Nigerian Nationalists like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Abubakar Tafawa belewa, Chief obafemi awolowo etc.
5. Attending seminars and conference at local, state and national levels where political issues among others are discussed.
Agents Of Political Socialization
Some of the agents of political socialization include:
1. Family Unit: The child’s knowledge and experience of political activities starts from the family. Parents of some childrens are politicians. Children and relatives of such people learn about or have experience of politics and its activities from them.
2. The Peer Group: The group one moves with helps to dictate or at least influence one’s political emotion.
3. Institutions Of Learning/Schools: Schools, colleges and other educational institutions provide avenue for political talks, debate and discussions which are basic socialism mechanisms.
4. Social/Religious Institutions: Members of social or religious groups like social clubs, religious association etc do engage in political arguments and discussions by which members become politically socialized.
5. Mass Media: Radia, Television, Magazine and Newspaper disseminate alot of political news and analyse political issue thereby socialising listeners, readers and viewers oppositionally.
6. Political Parties: They educate their members and other people through their manifesto, campaign, rallies etc thereby stimulating people’s political awareness.
7. Pressure Groups: Pressure groups equally educate their members and even the public in areas of political and civil rights through conferences, seminars etc.