A young Marine manned a helicopter machine gun during the Vietnam War and indiscriminately shot women and children in rice paddies.When asked at his court martial how he could shoot women and children,he simply replied,"It's what I am trained to do." Which socialization process best explains his emotional detachment?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Resocialization is the process that best explains his emotional detachment. This process involves breaking down existing social norms and values and replacing them with new ones, often in a controlled environment. In the military, soldiers undergo resocialization to detach from their previous civilian norms and values, enabling them to follow orders and perform in combat situations without the same level of emotional engagement they might have in civilian life. This process helps explain how the young Marine could perform his duties without the emotional response that might be expected from non-military individuals.

A Young Marine Manned a Helicopter Machine Gun During the Vietnam