The school is basically a social organiza tion characterized by structure and by norms. Structure refers to the relative rankings, both formal and informal, of positions and individuals within the or ganization, and norms refer to standards for behavior within the system.

Every educand learns about social life, Social Norms and Social Believes etc. So in the process of Socialization, School plays a very Significant role. They become aware about Social rights, rules, regulations and Social believers so that they live according to their own ideas and knowledge.

educate the human child to be a responsible and useful member of society. The process of learning to internalize the values and norms into its self or the mode of learning to live in society is called the process of socialization.

Four of the most influential agents of socialization during that phase of our lives are the family, school, peers, and mass media.

In the United States, the primary agents of socialization include the family, the peer group, the school, and the mass media.

The Family. The family is perhaps the most important agent of socialization for children. Parents’ values and behavior patterns profoundly influence those of their daughters and sons.

Types of Socialization. Generally, there are five types of socialization: primary, secondary, developmental, anticipatory and resocialization. This type of socialization happens when a child learns the values, norms and behaviors that should be displayed in order to live accordingly to a specific culture.

Peers, particularly group members, become important social referents. Peer groups also influence individual members’ attitudes and behaviours on many cultural and social issues, such as: drug use, violence, and academic achievement. and even the development and expression of prejudice.

Negative effects of peer pressure include:

• pressure to use alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
• pressure to engage in risk taking behaviours.
• distraction from schoolwork.
• distance between family and existing friends.
• drastic changes in behaviour and attitudes.

There are five types of peer statuses that most schools conform to: popular children, average children, neglected children, rejected children, and controversial children (Wentzel & Asher 1995).

Sociometric Peer Status

• Accepted teens are the most common sub-group among the popular. While they are generally well-liked, they are not as magnetic as the very popular kids.
• Very popular teens are highly charismatic and draw peers to them.

Peer groups can influence the life an individual positively or negatively. Peer groups that have positive impact on the individual is known as good peer groups. Bad peer group has negative impact on the individual.

Peer groups consist of same-aged individuals who share similar interests and are a part of the same social class. An example of a peer group is a soccer team. Peer groups are very influential on childhood and adolescent social development, with peer group influence being at its highest during adolescence.

The definition of a peer is an equal in age, skill or another category. An example of a peer is someone who graduated in the same year as a fellow student. To peer is defined as to look closely or intently at something that may difficult to see. Peer is to wake in the night and try to see in the darkness.

Peer Groups

• Peer Groups.
• Adolescent Peer Culture.
• Small Groups.
• Peer Cliques.
• Social Development.
• Group Communication.
• Cliques.
• Encyclopedias almanacs transcripts and maps.

Peer pressure or influence is when you do something you wouldn’t otherwise do, because you want to feel accepted and valued by your friends. Peer influence can be positive or negative. Coping well with peer influence is about getting the balance right between being yourself and fitting in with your group.

Peers, or a group of people who have similar interests, age, background, or social status, serve as an important source of information, feedback, and support to individuals as they develop a sense of self. Peers help socialize an individual by reinforcing or punishing behaviors or interpersonal interactions.

A peer group is a group of individuals or entities that share similar characteristics and interests among one another. Peer groups, in the case of people, have characteristics that include similarities like socio-economic status, level of education, ethnic background, and so on among its individual members.

Peer group is a group of people who are similar in age, sex, interest or habits. Peer groups can influence the individual positively or negatively. Bad peer groups have negative influence on the individual. Some of these are; drug use and abuse, engagement in pre-marital sex, robbery among others.

Peers may strongly determine preference in the way of dressing, speaking, using illicit substances, sexual behaviour, adopting and accepting violence, adopting criminal and anti-social behaviours and in many other areas of the adolescent’s life (Padilla, Walker & Bean, 2009; Tomé, Matos & Diniz, 2008).

equal standing with another

Here are seven benefits of belonging to a peer group:

• Manage company’s growth and development.
• Don’t Miss Anything.
• Accountability.
• Personal Support.
• Rich in resources.
• Listen to ideas.
• Learn from successes and failures.