In every era, society faces a problem that requires the inclusion of each person in a single social structure. The active mechanism of this inclusion is the process of socialization.
Socialization of the individual is the process of the individual entering into the social structure, as a result of which changes occur both in the very structure of society and in the structure of the individual. As a result of this process, a person assimilates patterns of behavior, values and social norms. All this is necessary for successful functioning in any society.
Socialization should begin in childhood, when the human personality is already actively formed. In childhood, the foundation of socialization is laid, and at the same time it is the most unprotected stage of it. Children, isolated from society, die socially, although many adults sometimes consciously seek solitude and self-isolation for a while, indulge in deep reflection and contemplation.
Even in cases where adults fall into isolation against their will and for a long time, they are quite capable of not perishing spiritually and socially. And sometimes, overcoming difficulties, they even develop their personality, discover new facets in themselves.
Since throughout life people have to master not one, but a whole variety of social roles, moving up the age and service ladder, the process of socialization continues throughout their lives. Until a ripe old age, a person changes views on life, habits, tastes, rules of behavior, roles, etc. The concept of "socialization" explains how a person from a biological being turns into a social being.
The socialization process goes through phases that are associated with the stages of a person's life cycle. These are childhood, adolescence, maturity and old age. According to the degree of achievement of the result or the completion of the socialization process, one can distinguish initial, or early socialization, covering the periods of childhood and adolescence, and continued, mature socialization, covering the other two periods. Like the process of self-identification, socialization knows no end, continuing throughout life.
In traditional societies, preparation for adult life was short-lived: at the age of 14-15, a young man passed into the category of adults, and at the age of 13, girls got married and formed an independent family. Childhood gained recognition in Europe in the Middle Ages, and adolescence - only in the 20th century. Quite recently, adolescence (youth) was recognized as an independent stage in the life cycle.
Thus, preparation for an independent life today has become not only longer, but also more difficult. Human society was able to give a full-fledged education to everyone from any social stratum only in the 20th century. For tens of thousands of years, it has accumulated resources for this.
