Question

We are all politically socialized from childhood through adulthood by a series of experiences that are either directly or indirectly political. The agents of socialization that shape our political values and beliefs nurture the opinions we have about political issues, parties, candidates for office, government and so much more.

1. Think about some of your own direct and indirect political socialization experiences dating from your years as a child and through to the present. Describe in detail one event, experience, or person that you believe influenced how you think and feel politically..
2. Next, ask someone from a different generation the same question. Tell us about the person you asked (relationship, age, education, occupation, etc.) and describe in detail how he/she came to hold that political perspective (values and beliefs)."

Answer 1

Political socialization can begin early in childhood and continue throughout adulthood. The influences in a person’s life, directly or indirectly, will largely shape their political views. As a child, I knew where my parents stood on certain political issues, but I did not have a deep conversation with them about their beliefs. I remember having to do a project in school for the 2008 presidential election and we had to research the candidates and their views on key issues. My project was on a big poster board comparing the two candidates. The left side was blue and discussed Barrack Obama and Joe Biden. The right side was red and discussed John McCain and Sarah Palin. Then I had to present the project and tell which one I would choose to vote for if I could vote. My parents voted for John McCain and that influenced my decision choosing between the two candidates for my project. As I have gotten older, I have a better understanding on key issues and I still agree with the Republican/Conservative views that I had as a child.

I asked a family friend, who was the former mayor in Kentucky. He is 50 years old, has a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and currently owns his own pharmacy. He has very conservative views. The event that shaped his political views is when the Berlin Wall was being torn down. He said that the wall was a barrier for freedom and human rights. When Ronald Reagan told the Soviets to tear down the will, it opened up political relations and allowed people to reunite from East and West Germany. It also ended the cold War and put the United States and the Soviet Union on a better path towards peace. From that point, he knew that he wanted to make sure that our freedom in this country was never sacrificed and was also one of the reasons that he reenlisted in the U.S Air Force.