From the moment we’re born, we are shaped by the world around us. Our families, schools, media, and culture all play a role in teaching us what is "normal" and how we should behave.
Have you ever stopped to think about how these influences impact our beliefs about ourselves and how we interact with the world?
Breaking Free: A Model to Bring Understanding
That’s where Harro’s Cycle of Socialization and Cycle of Liberation come in. These two powerful frameworks explain how societal norms are passed down and, more importantly, how we can break free from them. (Harro, 2000)
The Cycle of Socialization: How We Learn the “Rules”
Bobbie Harro’s Cycle of Socialization explains how individuals are conditioned into social norms, often without questioning them. It starts at birth, when we inherit beliefs from our families, communities, and institutions. As we grow, these ideas are reinforced through education, media, religion, and everyday interactions.
Most of the time, this cycle operates under the surface, shaping our views on race, gender, class, and other identities. It teaches us what is “acceptable” and discourages us from challenging inequality. The cycle continues because questioning these norms can be uncomfortable, and going against the grain often leads to pushback.
Visualization #2: Cycle of Socialization
This cycle of socialization demonstrates how societal norms are passed down and reinforced.
- The Beginning: We are born into a world with pre-existing biases and structures.
- First Socialization: Family and caregivers impart their own beliefs and biases.
- Institutional and Cultural Socialization: Schools, media, and religious institutions further reinforce societal norms.
- Enforcements: Rewards and punishments maintain conformity to these norms.
- Results: This leads to the perpetuation of systemic oppression and internalized biases.
- Direction for Change: Individuals may begin to question and challenge these norms.
- Actions: Taking steps to interrupt the cycle and promote change.
A visual representation of this cycle can be found in the National Education Association's publication: National Education Association | NEA
The Cycle of Liberation: Breaking Free from Conditioning
The good news? This cycle can be broken. Harro’s Cycle of Liberation offers a roadmap for challenging societal norms and working toward justice. It begins with critical awareness—a moment when we start to question what we've been taught. Maybe it’s a conversation, a book, or a personal experience that makes us see things differently.
From there, we move toward action—connecting with like-minded individuals, learning, unlearning, and speaking up against injustice. Over time, this leads to systemic change, where we not only change our own beliefs but also work toward shifting policies, institutions, and cultural narratives.
Visualization #2: Cycle of Liberation
This cycle of liberation outlines the process of recognizing and actively dismantling oppressive systems:
- Waking Up: Experiencing a shift in consciousness regarding oppression.
- Getting Ready: Educating oneself and developing analysis.
- Reaching Out: Connecting with others to gain support and build community.
- Building Community: Organizing with others who share a commitment to change.
- Coalescing: Planning and taking collective action against oppressive systems.
- Creating Change: Implementing strategies to transform institutions and societal norms.
- Maintaining: Sustaining the movement and fostering long-term transformation.
Why It Matters
Understanding and applying these cycles are methods by which we can create a more just society. The Cycle of Socialization helps us recognize where our biases come from, while the Cycle of Liberation shows us that change is possible. Whether it’s challenging stereotypes, advocating for marginalized communities, or educating ourselves on systemic inequalities, every step matters.
Understanding and using these cycles continues to be personally transformational. I better and better understand my socialization and am regularly reminded that we are all socialized into cultural norms to make meaning and find our place in society. Most importantly, the cycle of liberation helps with a mental map of ways to keep waking up and continue my healing journey personally, interpersonally, to cumulatively impact systems.
The cycles of socialization and liberation are frameworks to help us understand and work for liberation individually and collectively.
Where do you see yourself in the cycles? Are you just starting to notice the messages you’ve inherited? Or have you been working for years to break the cycle and create a more inclusive world? Who did you learn this liberation from? Who are your supporters in your liberation currently?
No matter where you are, awareness is the first (and continued) step toward liberation.
Let’s keep learning, questioning, and striving for change—because a more just world starts with us.
Fellow leaders and learners, I wish you courage, rest, and Beloved Community for the journey. Together we catalyze a brave, bold, and liberatory future.
Peace to you,
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If you'd like a few more resources to learn more, I discovered these on my journey:
Dee (Deanna) Rolffs (they/them), Owner & Principal Consultant at L3 Catalyst Group, is a coach, strategist, facilitator, and change agent applying the Process Consulting approach with anti-oppression and liberatory frameworks. Specializing in crisis and change leadership, they support brave and badass leaders and teams illuminate underlying issues, infuse learning, envision a just future, and walk a transformational path forward. Dee is committed to equitable systemic outcomes, healthy humans, and thriving teams. Dee serves on the board of their local Pride Center, is messily learning to practice medition, and is always up for truth telling about oppression and living life in liberatory joy.
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