View source for Optimal socialization

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= Socialization model =

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= Social groups =

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= Bullying =

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= Universal socialization =

In this chapter, we took a game theoretic, evolutionary, neural, and utilitarian look at socialization. Despite this unusual approach, the conclusions are the same as those that have been reached by many authors before:

{{Important note|'''Socialization should be rich, open, and free''':

* '''Rich socialization''' is one where kids experience interaction with a rich array of people of different ages, personalities, and abilities, in a rich array of contexts.
* '''Open socialization''' means a natural, self-regulating flow of actors in the socialization game. Openness is punitive for bad actors, liberating for weaker actors, and educational for everyone.
* '''Free socialization''' means minimal interference from the adult world. There is nothing wrong with parents playing matchmakers. However, once the kids interact, they need to be able to enact their own world governed by their own rules.}}

Parents who look for efficient modern socialization should study the concept of a [[democratic school]], esp. the rich literature around [[Sudbury Valley School]]. This type of rich and autonomous socialization, with minimal guidance, and non-interfering role from the adult world seems to be closest to what I have discussed in this chapter. Regrettably, democratic schools are [[On freedom of education and freedom of information|rarely free]] to be truly democratic. Most of the countries of this world still follow the Prussian system and believe in the constraints of the mandatory curriculum, which is wrongly believed to be the basis of future potential new Age of Enlightenment.

[[Homeschooling|Homeschooled]] and [[Unschooling|unschooled]] kids also have a good chance to implement models known from democratic schools, however, this would involve a degree of assistance and a big dose of trustful parenting as advocated by [[Peter Gray]]. Homeschooling is more likely to harbor a lone wolf model. However, I insist that human strength comes from variety. If this is the model preferred by a given kid due to his personality, it should be allowed without trepidation.

The hardest is the job of parents who need to rely on public schooling. Only rich communication with the kid can prevent [[Seymour Papert: Socialization myth|negative socialization]] that is endemic to peer groups formed at school.