February 16, 2015
Unit 2
Political Beliefs
Synopsis
The first article taken from The Atlantic shows the opposing viewpoints from four different people. The backgrounds of the four individuals are on completely ends of the political spectrum ranging from staunch liberals to strong conservatives. The article talks about how the 1961 Bobo Doll experiment showed that children interacted with the doll the same way that was modeled for them by their parents and adults. That experiment then leads into the thought of parents' political beliefs rubbing off onto their children. In the other article from the Gallup brings up the question if children, especially teens, stay true to their parents political perspectives. The Gallup displays different survey results from questioning teens about their political views and if they follow in the path of their parents' or to part and take a different path. The multiple surveys that were taken show the break down of the different groups of beliefs. From if their views are liberal or conservative, to where they compare to their parents beliefs. The children's thoughts on their own beliefs are shown as well as a comparison of the teens and adults political ideology.
Analysis
This topic relates to the Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors by being about opposing political beliefs and if children take after their parents political perspectives. Some parents want to force upon their children to think one way, some share their opinion and let their kids decide for themselves. And then there are the parents who choose not to share their political opinions with their children and do not want to shape their child's political views in any sort of way. The British Journal of Political Science recently published a study which found that parents who are firm that their children take on their political views unconsciously influence their children to leave behind the belief once they develop into adults. Researcher Elias Dinas led the study and found that "Children exposed to strong political beliefs are most likely to engage in other views once they leave home." The article said that these changes are presumably to take place during the children's college years. The child leaves home and is around different viewpoints coming from their peers, professors, and other adults sharing their views on political issues. This especially happens if the child comes from a home where politics is a frequent topic of discussion. There are four different sets of people with opposing backgrounds and current views listed throughout the article. The Russon parents are teaching their eight year old and six year old to become devoted liberals and atheists. John Wilder is a strong conservative who influenced his children at a young age but then let them decide their future for themselves. Jacqueline Church Simonds grew up with conservative parents then changed her views to the liberal side of the spectrum while in her twenties. Ben Miller grew up in a family where his parents never shared their political views, now he considers himself to be non-political. I have grown up in a family where my father is very open about sharing what he believes in and his opinions on politics throughout the world. My mother on the other hand is more reserved, she has beliefs but does not share them as often as my father. My views on political issues differs sometimes compared to my parents but I do belief they have a great impact on my thoughts. For now I believe I lean more to the conservative Republican side but my views may change in the next couple of years after I head off to college and understand more about politics.
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