In “The Cycle of Socialization” by Bobbie Harro, Harro discusses how prejudice and bias are intrinsic. The moment we are born our values and ideals are ascribed by our closest family and friends. Furthermore, our closest family and friends might not even be trying to push their ideals on us, it happens naturally. Harro also discusses how “agent” groups (the majorities of society) are programmed not only from birth, but also from outside influences such as the media, school, religion, and places of work to have a condescending attitudes toward the “target” groups of society. The “target” groups Harro refers to could be any minority group or women as a whole.
However, Harro does not only blame the “agent” groups of society. He cites the idea of “internalized oppression”, which expresses the idea that the “target” groups have become so accustomed of the oppression they experience that they begin to accept it willingly. He even goes as far as saying they “reinforce stereotypes, collude in our [their] own demise, and perpetuate the system of oppression,” (Harro, 19).
To conclude Harro brings up the great idea that the discomfort of the “target” and “agent” groups has to overtake the comfort the groups had in accepting what those of the opposite group thought of them to be true. Once this has taken place the groups have to form a coalition to break the cycle of socialization.
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