Free Identified Peer Group Characteristics Essay Sample

1. Characteristics of the Identified Peer Group

Peer groups comprise of people sharing similar interests, norms, values and backgrounds. There are some cases where peer groups comprise of people from different social divides. The identified peer group shares a common religious orientation. The norms of the peer group are shaped by the rules of their religion, which is Christianity. The norms of the peer group include modest dressing code, speech and individual behavior that reflect Christian principles and values. The acceptable rules of behavior for this peer group depend on Christian values. The values of the peer group are based on Christian teachings such as love, compassion, humility and respect for all people. Other values of the peer group include generosity, morality, righteousness, and forgiveness. The peer group has tastes and interests directed at Christian literature and enhancing their commitment towards their religious affiliation in order to live a righteous life. The members of the peer group meet in order to enhance their individual well-being and the well-being of people around them. Their commitment towards spirituality serves to enhance the bondage among the members of the peer group irrespective of other variables of social divides such as race, socio-economic status and age.

Membership to the group is determined by the commitment that one has towards Christianity and its respective values. This means that one has to be a Christian or is willing to be a Christian in order to join the group. Upholding Christian values is a necessity towards sustaining membership in the group. Members who are perceived as righteous in every aspect, moral, and abide by Christian teachings and values are considered cool. Deviance from religious values by the members of the group is not considered cool, and one is likely to be considered an outcast. The socialization process of the group involves enhancing individual well-being in every aspect such as spiritual, health, social and economic. Members consider this socialization process as the core strength of the group that brings its members together to an extent that its members will do anything to avoid rejection by their peers.

2. Ways in Which the Media Has Helped To Socialize You into Your Gender

The media imposes a significant influence on the process of gender socialization, which in turn influences our behavior and attitudes towards gender. The media shapes our ideologies regarding what it means to be masculine and feminine. The basic argument is that the society is increasingly valuing people basing on their physical appearances, rather than personalities and skills. This is one of the ways that the media uses to influence the process of gender socialization. For instance, the media places emphasis on physical image; as a result, men should visit the gym on a regular basis to enhance their physique and live a healthy lifestyle comparable to the athletic male. Such ideologies affect our individual perceptions towards what constitutes masculinity.

There is an increasing pressure from the media for men to be healthy physically and conform to what is perceived to be physically attractive. Media has socialized men to think that maintaining the athletic body is physically attractive. For example, the media portrays six pack abdomens, cut arms, large biceps and broad shoulders are physically attractive to women. The influence of the media is the same in the case of women since it emphasizes beauty based on large breasts and small waists. The inference from this observation is that the media influences the process of gender socialization through advocating for an ideal body physique that is appropriate for either masculinity or femininity. The media places less emphasis on personalities as a key element of gender socialization process. The media suggests that manhood is proved using muscles and mass. 

 

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