What does the term "agents of socialization" mean?

To know what agents of socialization are, you must first
understand what socialization is.  Socialization is the process by which the members of
a society are taught the values of that society.  In other words, the process of
socialization is the process of making people hold the same general set of values as are
held by others in their society.

For example, we in the
United States believe strongly in the value of the individual.  This is one of our basic
mores.  Therefore, we socialize children to believe in that idea.  This socialization is
done by agents of socialization -- the people or processes that actually do the
socializing.  The most common agents of socialization are parents, teachers, peers, and
(often) the media.  By talking to and interacting with parents and teachers and peers,
American kids are socialized to believe that each individual is
important.

So, agents of socialization are the people (or
institutions like the media) that teach our children what is expected of them as members
of our particular society.