The major factors of political socialization include, but are not limited to, school, mass media, family, and religion. In my opinion the most important factor of political socialization is family. According the the Edwards textbook, informal learning is really much more important than formal learning (Edwards 191). Children acquire and absorb political information, ideas, and values through their parents actions and words. The advantage family/parents have over other factors is influence during the child’s early years, specifically time and emotional commitment (Edwards 192). Therefore the family has the greatest impact on one’s political socialization because of what they expose the child to beginning in the early years which they child carries with them as they become adults. One can predict how a majority of people will vote based simply on their parents political leanings (Edwards 192).
While I agree that family plays a huge role in political socialization, I believe that religion is the most important factor. Religion is what people use for a basis of their morals and beliefs. Because of this, people won't support politics that clash with their morals/ religion. Religion is the most important political socialization because it's what people fall back on when they think of what they believe in and what morals they follow; this transfers into what politics they follow and which political values they think are right.
I think that family and religion are both main factors to political socialization but I also think that mass media is one of the major factors. When people need to find things out they turn to the media. They see what the media is saying about issues and tend to base what they think off of what is said on the television. When people are trying to see where each candidates stand on certain issues many people go off of what they hear and see on the media. Many children, for example, learn from what they see and hear. So, when commercials and debates are shown on TV promoting candidates they learn from what they see and hear. Many children see the commercials for the candidates when watching TV so they also learn about politics while watching TV. This is why I see mass media as the major factor of political socialization.
While I agree with the Avery, that religion is a strong basis I tend to waver more to the family aspect of political socialization as the strongest influence. Speaking from personal experience I know without growing up in a politically diverse family I would not hold the same viewpoints I do today. Not speaking from personal experience I also believe that since many children do not want to irritate their parents, they will simply conform to their parents political views, thus carrying on that specific families political background and belief's.
I disagree that religion is the most important factor for political socialization. I know many people who claim to be Christian and a Liberal also. Many Liberals agree with abortion, gay marriage, and the legalization of marijuana. Though, Christians tend to be for life, against gay marriage, and against the legalization of drugs (because "Thy body is thy temple"). I agree that family is the most important.
The major factors of political socialization include, but are not limited to, school, mass media, family, and religion. In my opinion the most important factor of political socialization is family. According the the Edwards textbook, informal learning is really much more important than formal learning (Edwards 191). Children acquire and absorb political information, ideas, and values through their parents actions and words. The advantage family/parents have over other factors is influence during the child’s early years, specifically time and emotional commitment (Edwards 192). Therefore the family has the greatest impact on one’s political socialization because of what they expose the child to beginning in the early years which they child carries with them as they become adults. One can predict how a majority of people will vote based simply on their parents political leanings (Edwards 192).
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree that family plays a huge role in political socialization, I believe that religion is the most important factor. Religion is what people use for a basis of their morals and beliefs. Because of this, people won't support politics that clash with their morals/ religion. Religion is the most important political socialization because it's what people fall back on when they think of what they believe in and what morals they follow; this transfers into what politics they follow and which political values they think are right.
DeleteI think that family and religion are both main factors to political socialization but I also think that mass media is one of the major factors. When people need to find things out they turn to the media. They see what the media is saying about issues and tend to base what they think off of what is said on the television. When people are trying to see where each candidates stand on certain issues many people go off of what they hear and see on the media. Many children, for example, learn from what they see and hear. So, when commercials and debates are shown on TV promoting candidates they learn from what they see and hear. Many children see the commercials for the candidates when watching TV so they also learn about politics while watching TV. This is why I see mass media as the major factor of political socialization.
DeleteWhile I agree with the Avery, that religion is a strong basis I tend to waver more to the family aspect of political socialization as the strongest influence. Speaking from personal experience I know without growing up in a politically diverse family I would not hold the same viewpoints I do today. Not speaking from personal experience I also believe that since many children do not want to irritate their parents, they will simply conform to their parents political views, thus carrying on that specific families political background and belief's.
DeleteI disagree that religion is the most important factor for political socialization. I know many people who claim to be Christian and a Liberal also. Many Liberals agree with abortion, gay marriage, and the legalization of marijuana. Though, Christians tend to be for life, against gay marriage, and against the legalization of drugs (because "Thy body is thy temple"). I agree that family is the most important.
ReplyDelete