The thesis is devoted to the organization of students' socialization process at comprehensive and alternative secondary educational establishments in the USA. Theoretical approaches to socialization have been described. As a result the conclusion was made that psychoanalytical, interactional, cognitive, ethological and ecological philosophical approaches have influenced the understanding of socialization. In the sphere of education they have been realized as essentionalism, progressivism, perrenialism, existentialism and behaviorism. Each school formulates its policy depending on the philosophy it chooses.Cultural and historical peculiarities of American socialization style have been grounded. As socialization is to be viewed as a cultural and historical phenomenon, we tried to study the factors which influence the socialization style of both countries in order to form an opinion as to the predicted result of the impact the use of American experience might have on Ukrainian children. "Socialization style" is a new term which has recently appeared in Ukrainian sociological science. It is defined as "the reflection of the structural type of the society and its civilization belonging in the process of socialization". Protestantism, multiculturalism, pragmatism, individualism, democracy, globalization and humanization are proved to have influenced its formation. Ukrainian cultural and historical peculiarities have been described in order to substantiate the prospects of introducing American experience into Ukrainian system of education. In the comparative analysis historical, state-forming, geographical criteria were taken into account. The Ukrainian socialization style is based on Orthodox Christianity and humanism deeply rooted in its philosophy. National idea is predominant. Children are being educated through their awareness of national values reflected in Ukrainian folklore, literature, social customs, religious beliefs, traditional holidays, history and national symbols.What we expect of the child depends on the model of a successfully socialized adult. The ideal personality type is considered to be the purpose of the successful socialization process. Speaking of the ideal or at least close to it personality type we mean a "socially talented person". The socially talented personality is to have the so called productive type of character, which according to E. Fromme is a certain ideal, the final purpose of the human evolution.The place and functions of the school among other socialization agents has been determined. School is viewed as the most influential socialization agent as it performs integration, coordination and selection functions. School's socialization role is performed by creating favorable socialization environment for all the students, language and national minorities inclusive. The principals and conditions of social-group, political and human rights, economical socialization have been reflected.The special research was conducted in American and Ukrainian schools of different types in orderto study the socialization peculiarities in both countries. A number of criteria have been given to be taken into account.Role play, reciprocal teaching, problem learning, cooperative learning widely applied in American schools have been described and suggested for practical use in Ukrainian schools for encouraging cooperation which is one of the prime concerns of social group socialization. Introducing changes into social sciences standards is thought to be important. Educating children with special needs in the least restricted learning environment is considered to be necessary for enhancing in all the students tolerance and mutual understanding.Introducing civic education courses into junior school curriculum, using some elements of the program "Kids Voting USA", using students' government potential tend out to be useful for political and human rights socialization.
