ABSTRACT
A major responsibility of adults in all societies is to socialize young people. Historically, the goal of the human socialization process has been to introduce young people to societal values, norms, behavior, and roles that contribute to individual psychosocial development and social order. Social institutions including family, the church, civic organizations, the educational system, mass media, and the peer group have generally served as the primary socialization agents. Indeed, these institutions continue to assume a major role in facilitating both socialization and social control of children, youth, and young adults in contemporary America (Coser, Rhea, Steffan, & Nock, 1983).
