What would be considered a formal agent of socialization?

A formal agent of socialization refers to an organized group or institution that intentionally teaches its members the norms, values, and behaviors of society. Religious institutions serve this role by providing structured teachings, rituals, and community engagement that shape the beliefs and behaviors of their members. Through participation in religious practices, individuals learn not only about faith but also about community expectations, moral standards, and social norms.

In contrast, friends, online communities, and workplaces can also influence socialization but typically do so in a less structured manner. Friends often promote informal socialization through shared activities and interactions that may not have specific educational objectives. Online communities can create social connections and exchanges of ideas but may lack the same level of formal teachings and established norms as religious institutions. Workplaces do contribute to socialization by instilling professional norms and expectations but are primarily focused on skill development and job performance rather than shaping broader societal values and beliefs in a structured way like religious institutions do.