Читать книгу Essentials of Sociology - George Ritzer - Страница 153

At some point in their lives, many adults find themselves in some type of total institution (Gambino 2013; Goffman 1961a). A total institution is a closed, all-encompassing place of residence and work set off from the rest of society that meets all the needs of those enclosed in it.

A major example of a total institution is the prison. In 2018, 2.3 million Americans were housed in prisons and jails of various types (including, among others, military prisons and detention centers for immigrants; Wagner and Sawyer 2018). On initial entry into prison, inmates undergo formal resocialization in the form of being told the rules and procedures they must follow. However, of far greater importance is the informal socialization that occurs over time through their interactions with guards and especially with other inmates. In fact, other inmates often socialize relatively inexperienced criminals into becoming more expert criminals; prisons are often “schools for crime” (Lopez-Aguado 2016; Sykes [1958] 2007).

Another total institution is the military. Members generally live in military housing. They often eat together, share living quarters, and have access to all necessary services on the military base. They must follow strict rules of dress, conduct, physical appearance, and organization of their time.