Interaction ism and the Child: Cahill,Corsaro, and Denzin on Childhood Socialization

Socialization is one of the defining concepts of symbolic interactionism. This essay redirects attention to that area by reviewing the works of Spencer E, Cahill, William A. Corsaro, and Norman K. Denzin, three scholars who have had little attention paid to their work on childhood socialization. Under the rubrics of (a) stages: automatic or contingent?, (b) play and games, (c) peer groups and cultures, (d) gender identity, and (e) public behavior, it is argued that these scholars have advanced symbolic interaction theory on childhood socialization by featuring the constructive, communal, and collective aspects of socialization. A summary of similarities and differences among these authors is made, especially noting Corsaro's conceptualization of “interpretive reproduction.” A critique focuses on some inadequacies in their work along with suggestions for future research.