Discuss the rationale of gender socialization stages on students academic performance

Gender socialization is the process of learning the social expectations and attitudes associated with one's sex. Sociologists explain through gender socialization why human males and females behave in different ways: they learn different social roles. For example, girls learn to do different household chores than boys; girls learn to bake and clean, and boys learn to mow lawns and take out garbage. Gender socialization occurs through such diverse means as parental attitudes, schools, how peers interact with each other, and mass media. Sometimes gender roles lead to inequality.

Moreland and Levine identify five stages of gender socialization which mark this transition; investigation, socialization, maintenance, re socialization, and remembrance. During each stage, the individual and the group evaluate each other which leads to an increase or decrease in commitment to socialization. This socialization pushes the individual from prospective, new, full, marginal, and ex member.

Stage 1: Investigation This stage is marked by a cautious search for information. The individual compares groups in order to determine which one will fulfill their needs (reconnaissance), while the group estimates the value of the potential member (recruitment). The end of this stage is marked by entry to the group, whereby the group asks the individual to join and they accept the offer.

Stage 2: Socialization Now that the individual has moved from prospective member to new member, they must accept the group’s culture. At this stage, the individual accepts the group’s norms, values, and perspectives (assimilation), and the group adapts to fit the new member’s needs (accommodation). The acceptance transition point is then reached and the individual becomes a full member. However, this transition can be delayed if the individual or the group reacts negatively. For example, the individual may react cautiously or misinterpret other members’ reactions if they believe that they will be treated differently as a new comer.

Stage 3: Maintenance During this stage, the individual and the group negotiate what contribution is expected of members (role negotiation). While many members remain in this stage until the end of their membership, some individuals are not satisfied with their role in the group or fail to meet the group’s expectations (divergence).

Stage 4: Re-socialization -If the divergence point is reached, the former full member takes on the role of a marginal member and must be re-socialized. There are two possible outcomes of re-socialization: differences are resolved and the individual becomes a full member again (convergence), or the group expels the individual or the individual decides to leave (exit).

Stage 5: Remembrance In this stage, former members reminisce about their memories of the group, and make sense of their recent departure. If the group reaches a consensus on their reasons for departure, conclusions about the overall experience of the group become part of the group’s tradition.

The rationale of these gender socialization stages are as follows;

These help students in selection of a right group to socialize with. Through these stages a student identifies a group to work with. This identification is made after a deep observation of different groups. Therefore a student get involved in a right group.

An individual students gains new experience and concepts. Through interaction with other students an individual student gains many involving new ideas and knowledge. These helps students to grow academically.

A student through socialization stages identifies his or her weak areas academically. After identifying these areas then he or she starts working on these in order to be more good in academic.

Through socialization stages, students build confidence of academic interaction. Socialization helps students to interact academically. This also helps students to expand their skills in academic.

Generally; socialization stages help students to make a clear selection of group to engage with, and perform some tasks in academic which helps them to grow academically.