The possibilities of applying classical theories of socialization in modern sociological research

The paper deals with classical theories of socialization within the framework of subject-object approach (O. Comte, H. Spencer, E. Durkheim, T. Parsons) and subject-subject approach (C.H. Cooley, J.G. Mead, P. Berger and T. Lukman), and examines possibilities and limitations of their application in modern sociological research. Analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches has shown that the category of socialization is most fully reflected in the framework of the subject-subject approach, which considers the two-sided aspect of socialization: a combination of mechanisms of adaptation and isolation of the individual in the conditions of a particular society. Analyzing classical theories of socialization, the author takes into account the transformation of modern society associated with an increase in the number of socializing institutions and changes in their essential characteristics. The author makes a conclusion that in view of dynamics of modern social reality there are some restrictions on full integration of classical theories of socialization into modern empirical research, and also offers specific examples of possible implication of these theories into sociological research.