Bobbie Harro talks about in his article, The Cycle of Socialization, how each of us are raised to believe certain things, and when we have children they are taught what we believe. Each of us is also taught certain things through media, religious organizations, and school, and these things also are passed on to our children. The cycle continues with our children and their children. This cycle works with all beliefs in general, but is rather specific to stereotypes that we all hold, and pass on (Harro, 2000)
The cycle of socialization is shown in the Office, essentially the same way that it is shown in everyday life. For instance Angela is very religious and has many stereotypes about people in the Office; she is specifically judgmental of Oscar and his homosexuality. In later episodes Angela does get pregnant, if one looks at the stereotypes that she holds, it isn’t hard to assume that she will later instill those same stereotypes in her child.
The cycle of socialization is said to be pervasive; this means that it comes from all sides. So Angela’s baby will probably not only receive his or her stereotypical views from Angela herself, but the church that she attends, and type of television that she will show her baby (Harro, 2000)
Pam and Jim also had a baby in the Office. Their baby, because of the cycle of socialization will most likely grow up with much different views than Angela’s baby. Because Pam and Jim do not carry the same stereotypes as Angela their child will also most likely not carry the same stereotypes as Angela. Their baby will attend a different church than Angela’s baby, and watch the T.V. that Pam and Jim watch. Their child will grow up to most likely be more open to different people as Pam and Jim seem to be. Their child will not be this way because of their own merit, but because she grew up in a different environment. Just as Angela’s baby will be carry many stereotypes not to his or her’s own fault, but to the environment that he or she was raised in.
Harro, B. (2000). The Cycle of Socialization. In M. Adams, W.J. Blumenfeld, R. Castañeda, H.W. Hackman, M.L. Peters, and X. Zuñiga (Eds.). Readings for Diversity and Social Justice (pp.15-21). New York: Routledge.
te250sarahg 
sherm223
December 4, 2011 at 2:11 am
I think it might be funny to see what happens when Angela finds out that the father of her baby, is actually a homosexual. I When she finds out the senator is homosexual himself, I wonder if her views will change, since she is such a conservative person. I think that Jim and Pam’s baby will grow up very differently than Angela will raise her child. Even if the children go to the same school, and watch the same movies, their parents will have a huge effect on their opinions and views of others. I like though that the Office does try to break the cycle of socialization, throughout the seasons.