Socialization is the process of developing societal ideologies and conforming to a particular culture. Socialization allows a growing individual to learn the values, beliefs, attitudes, and habits of a social group that one is brought up in. Through socialization, the continuity of social and cultural norms is expected. It is critical to children as they develop, making it a lifelong, continuous process where one becomes prepared for new social environments and new expectations in every stage of life. Socialization, in the end, promotes a process of self-development; thus, the main goal of socialization is to develop a person’s conscience through moderation and control. The second goal is to prepare an individual to perform specific roles such as occupational and third socialization. It helps an individual identify the meaning of values and learn what is essential within a culture (“the role of socialization”). Thus within this paper, the main focus will be channeled towards socialization within the life of Todd Marinovich.
Socialization is a complex process as it takes place through interaction with individuals, groups, and social institutions. Sports play a massive role in developing youngsters’ sociological perspective—sports help socialize children both positively and negatively. For Todd Marinovich, his father, Marv, was the primary agent in developing his social life through football. Marv was not only Todd’s parent but his coach in football. Marv’s main agenda in driving his son through football was to bring up a legendary quarterback who would carry on his legacy (Rosenberg, 2019). Marv Marinovich was himself an American Canadian football player. Turning his son into a successful quarterback from a young age was to create a culture of athletes in his family. Todd was able to receive the best training. His father controlled his diet and made him fit for football. Thus Todd became enthusiastic about football and committed to it.
As a young kid, the societal expectations for young kids are to understand respect and honor, grow their unique talents and nurture them, and give them a chance to be themselves. Several factors drove Todd’s dropping out of the University of Southern California (USC). After running a successful high school career, Todd was under pressure to maintain high expectations from society and his father. After living under his shadow as the perfect quarterback, he was finding new interests, such as a major in arts (Rosenberg, 2019). Additionally, drugs became his dependency on calming high pressures. From then on, Todd went through a life of rising and falling, abusing drugs, trying to get clean, and finally realizing his long last dream, a fine artist. Through sports, Todd was positively able to develop a successful football career, but negatively the pressures drained him into a pitfall of misery.
In conclusion, it is right to say that the essence of socialization cannot be denied, and the implications of that are evidenced in Todd’s upbringing. Every stage of growth and development is essential (“Chapter 55. Socialization”). At long last, socialization makes one want to be who they were meant to be; that is self-development because the cultural expectations and interactions with others force one to be ‘self.’ This is the reason why Todd chooses to be an artist later in his life. He begins getting control of his life back and cleaning himself off the drugs because he understands the drugs’ satisfaction is a pure lie.
REFERENCE
The role of socialization. Lumen boundless sociology. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-sociology/chapter/the-role-of-socialization/
Chapter 5. Socialization. Introduction to sociology. BC campus. Retrieved from https://opentextbc.ca/introductiontosociology/chapter/chapter5-socialization/
Rosenberg Michael. 2019. Learning to be human again. SI. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/11/todd-marinovich-dad-marv-quarterback-drugs-rehab