Authoritarian vs Authoritative Concepts in Sociology

Reflection on Enculturation

I thought the explanation about the differences between an authoritarian and an authoritative parent were interesting; I had thought the two terms were interchangeable, but according the Matsumoto and Juang (2023) an authoritarian parent “expects unquestioned obedience and views the child as needing to be controlled” while the authoritative parent “promotes a firm, fair, reasonable and affectionate parenting style” (p. 15). What is interesting, too, is that parenting styles are reflected in the way society operates as well. Our society seems to be very authoritarian, with the idea that people need to be controlled. I wonder what effect the interplay between adults and government and those in charge has on enculturation.

This is relevant to me personally because parenting and socialization are things I want to know more about, as I have a past that I like to reflect on to better understand myself and I want to be prepared for the future for when I am having an effect on others around me. As a student of sociology, I am interested in the way that people are shaped by their culture and social environment. The concepts of authoritarianism, enculturation, and socialization help to explain how we develop our beliefs and values. Authoritarianism refers to the tendency for people to obey authority figures without question. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and an uncritical acceptance of authority. Enculturation is the process by which we learn the norms and values of our culture. This happens through our family, our education, and our interactions with others. Socialization is the process by which we internalize the norms and values of our culture. This happens when we conform to the expectations of those around us. So even if there is something bad and corrupt, we might end up accepting it as normal because everyone else appears to do the same (Ashforth & Anand, 2003). These concepts matter to me because they help to explain why we believe and behave the way that we do. They also help to highlight the importance of critical thinking and cultural awareness.

Obviously, authoritarianism is something I want to try to avoid in my personal life, although I could see where it might be useful in one’s professional life in situations where there is not time for hand-holding—like in a military situation. However, I could foresee how my understanding of enculturation and socialization could help me in my personal and professional lives in different ways. For instance, I can use my understanding of enculturation and socialization in my personal life by recognizing the ways that my family and community have shaped my beliefs and values. I can also be aware of the ways that I am still being socialized, such as when I observe new traditions or adopt new behaviors.

In my professional life, I can use my understanding of socialization to help me work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds. By understanding how enculturation and socialization have impacted them, I can better understand their perspectives and communication styles. I could also use this knowledge to help me design training programs and targeted interventions that take into account the different ways people learn and develop. Additionally, by familiarizing workers with the company's culture, values, and norms, employers can help to ensure that employees are productive and engaged members of the workforce. Plus, enculturation can help to create a sense of belonging and community within the workplace. Thus, through embracing the company’s culture, workers are more likely to feel invested in their work and motivated to contribute to the overall success of the business.