Socializing Messages in Blue-Collar Families: Communicative Pathways to Social Mobility and Reproduction

Abstract

This study explicitly links processes of anticipatory socialization to social mobility and reproduction. An examination of the socializing messages exchanged between blue-collar parents (n = 41) and their children (n = 25) demonstrate that family-based messages about work and career seldom occur in straightforward, unambiguous ways. Instead, messages take several paths (direct, indirect, ambient, and omission). Further, the content of messages communicated along these paths often is contradictory. That is, sons and daughters receive messages that both encourage and discourage social mobility. Ultimately, these individuals must negotiate the meanings of family-based anticipatory socialization communicated to them through a mix of messages.

What Happens Before Full-Time Employment? Internships as a Mechanism of Anticipatory Socialization

“…Although these elements of socialization may manifest prior to entry, research has yet to fully explore what constitutes socialization that occurs in anticipatory socialization. Past research has shown that prior experiences, like recruitment activities and even the messages we receive as children, socialize us into organizations and occupations (e.g., Buzzanell, Berkelaar, & Kisselburgh, 2011;Gabor, 2013;Hylmo, 2006;Levine & Hoffner, 2006;Lucas, 2011;Myers, Jahn, Gailliard, & Stoltzfus, 2011). However, we know little about how internships-a prevailing practice for most college-educated people entering the workforce today-contribute to organizational and vocational socialization.…”

“…(Buzzanell et al, 2011, p. 160) Similarly, Lucas (2011) found that families communicate socializing messages about blue-collar work in complex, ambiguous, and even contradictory ways. Importantly, these studies and others (e.g., Saks & Ashforth, 1997) indicated that vocational anticipatory socialization messages occur through a variety of sources and message paths, not just direct memorable messages.…”

“…Unfortunately, almost all vocational anticipatory socialization research has focused on how career perceptions develop at a young age (Buzzanell et al, 2011;Gabor, 2013;Hylmo, 2006;Levine & Hoffner, 2006;Lucas, 2011;Myers et al, 2011). Berkelaar (2013, p. 41) addressed this issue in her review of the socialization literature, calling for research to examine vocational anticipatory socialization throughout life.…”

“…Studies have suggested that people are socialized into vocations through messages from family, educational institutions, part-time employment, peers and friends, as well as the media (Buzzanell et al, 2011;Jablin, 1985;Levine & Hoffner, 2006;Lucas, 2011;Vangelisti, 1988). Most of the vocational anticipatory socialization research in organizational communication has centered on young participants "from childhood to young adulthood" (Jablin, 2001, p. 734).…”

From the Mouths of Babes: Exploring Families' Career Socialization of Young Children in China, Lebanon, Belgium, and the United States

“…Although families may differ greatly in how members fulfill roles, societies usually expect family members to assist each other. First, families' career and work socialization assistance often takes the form of direct, indirect, and ambient messages embedded within more macro Discourses of economy, gender, class, and other forms of difference (Broadfoot et al, 2008;Dallimore, 2003;Gabor, 2009;Jablin, 1982Jablin, , 1985aJablin, , 1985bJablin, , 1987Jablin, , 2001Kuhn et al, 2008;Lucas, 2011). Second, socialization may be ongoing and/or anticipate occupational and educational choices.…”