1a. Pick some aspect of yourself (e.g. gender, class, etc.), and explain how you came to develop that "self" as a product of socialization. Be sure to identify the specific agents of socialization, and how they functioned to produce this result. Be specific, and try to link your analysis directly to the readings. Also, be sure to discuss how you reacted to the socialization.

The aspect of myself that I am going to write about is gender.

I work with healthcare professionals including Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Psychologists, Chiropractors, Acupuncturists, etc. Many of them are males. I am the leader of the organization. Not only am I female, but I am also young (28) and from a "working class" background. So I have three obstacles to work around. Experience has taught me two things: Usually after having a conversation with me, the (male, take-charge, usually the leader) guy will take me seriously. Or.....my position of leadership will be backed by men in similar status with this individual, and this will give me a sort of temporary respect, until I have "proven myself".

A friend of mine commented the other day that my taste of furnishings in my office were very masculine. As I was reading our assignment, I started thinking about this. I think I use dress, social skills/personality, education/experience, furnishings, etc. to establish a professional image. I also must work internally on my confidence, so that I won't get "rattled" by this type of environment. It has been a process over time, to learn to trust myself and my decisions enough, that I could work with these type of individuals, even challenging them if need be. I am pretty sure that males in my position wouldn't have to do this as much.

As a child, I was taught that positions of leadership, respect, and power were ones men held. The attention I wanted was from my father, and I learned that to get it I had to do the things he "held in high regard; respected", which were working hard, public speaking, debate, etc.