ABSTRACT
Education Education was institutionalized much later than the other pivotal institutions. Because humans lack highly developed instincts, the knowledge they accumulate about survival in groups, as well as all the technology necessary to make life easier, must be transmitted to each new generation. However, in traditional, preindustrial societies, the transmission of culture occurred within the family. It consisted mainly of the teaching of skills necessary for survival in the society, as well as knowledge of ritual and religious myths. This knowledge was easily absorbed as children went about the business of living, following their parents and trying to imitate them. Most of this learning took place during the process of informal socialization. In other words, education was embedded in the family institution.
