Institutions and Identity Formation
... In these institutions, these agents make it their responsibility to teach their pupils about the world and how it functions. ... This acquisition of identity by the individual that reflects his beliefs and behaviors is a product largely played out by other people surrounding his life. ... Such institutions and its personnel can be a strong influence in the stratification process that an individual endures while belonging to the particular setting. The process of socialization in such institutions and social context is so strong that ultimately, it results in the construction of one’s identity. Prime examples of such institutions that influence how an individual perceives himself are boarding schools and prisons. Such institutions resulting in the product of individual identities are at the extremes of each other. ... These private institutions play a large role in transmitting the class structure to their students. ... It is in these institutions that a unique style of life is adopted among the students. ... Boarding schools play a direct role in shaping the individual’s identity. ... They feel superior to others because of their fortunate slot in life and mainly because of the learning institutions that they came from. The identity that was the product of countless years of formal education is one that will be tuned and enhanced further as these individual go through life. ... The time the individual spent in prison has shaped his identity. ... This case of institutions and how it affects the identity of an individual is prime examples of how a social process can confuse ones socially impose character. ... As one can see, the type of institution plays a very important role in the formation of an individual’s identity. ... In the end, institutions, similar to family and friends can play a crucial role in shaping one’s identity.