The difference between education and socialization
Education is a process that is intentional and structured to supply skills and knowledge and to influence the development course of a person. Education is not only about identifying symbols and learning facts. It also includes the skills required to join knowledge in a manner that is meaningful and enabling an individual to express ideas. Additionally, it allows one to solve problems and make decisions. According to research on sex education, effective training programs should have the ability to promote sexual literacy which should go further than dispensing knowledge to involve the development of social and personal skills. When sex education promotes sexual literacy, it can contribute to the well-being and the psychosocial development of people throughout adolescence and adulthood. Lack of sexual literacy can be the leading source of many social and health hazards which include unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
In contrast, socialization is the process through which a person gets a comprehension of ideas, values, and, beliefs through a set of shared norms, cultural symbols, codes of behavior and meaning. Socialization of children begins at home, where parents have the responsibility to insist on their most acceptable values. The values may not be shared with the society as a whole. Children have access to different messages concerning nudity, modesty, and privacy from a very young age. They are also exposed to information about proper conduct about their gender.
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The responses of parents to masturbation by infants, showcasing of physical affection between the mother and father, and the teachings children get concerning suitable physical contact with other individuals impact the understanding of children of their sexuality. Children’s awareness of sexuality is shaped by conversations of natural differences between women and men and the responses of their parents to the manners in which children utilize the language of a sexual nature. Through socialization, parents impact knowledge to their children about their expectations of behavior and values through implicit and explicit information and actions.
Socialization can also take place outside the home as the children observe the norms of the community, consume the information on mass media and take part in religious and cultural activities. Such sexual socialization involves gaining knowledge about religious values, which may involve sexuality views as a sacred gift and limited to the marriage covenant. People are also exposed to different points of view concerning abortion, gender roles and family planning. Sometimes, schools fail to address such issues as educators may feel reluctant to investigate the diverse opinions. They fear that such talks will be seen as going against cultural and religious values.
According to the authors, where would most teens prefer to learn about sex and why?
Most teens prefer to learn about sex in schools. During adolescence, a young individual turns to peer groups and schools to explain his or her values. Teens like to maintain privacy with their bodies and relationships hence they are not comfortable talking to their parents about sexual matters. A school is an ideal place since the adolescents are in a group thus they are not afraid of stating their concerns. The school provides adequate information about the use and effectiveness of condoms and contraceptive methods (Ronny A. Shtarkshall, 2007). Parents may not be comfortable sharing such information and may restrict sexual discussions to some topics.
Sexual Education in schools also covers a wide variety of topics about sex. For this reason, teens can gain sexual literacy, and they will start becoming responsible for their sexual behaviors. Through the school, teens can understand the aspects of sexuality and can make their own decisions based on the vast knowledge that they have gained. Hence, most adolescents prefer to learn about sex in schools.
References
Ronny A. Shtarkshall, J. S. (2007). Sex Education and Sexual Socialization: Roles for Educators and Parents. Perspectivs on Sexual and Reproductive Health , 116.
