Essay about Political Socialization - 1002 Words

Political Socialization Political socialization begins early on in life and is an ongoing process affecting individuals throughout. It is how people eventually identify personal beliefs and expectations in American politics. These political views can include our level of patriotism, faith in the democratic system, standards by which we hold governing bodies, and opinions regarding public policies. From the playground to the classroom, the office to the dinner table, much of our lives affect our political opinions. The most easily identified agents of this are family, schooling, peers, mass media, political parties and religious influences. Furthermore, these means indoctrinate us in the political society through four basic†¦show more content†¦As one matures, a certain peer groups reinforce beliefs. Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann, in her book Spiral of Silence, explains individuals inherently fear social isolation from peers and are apprehensive of speaking out against group ideas (Patterson 161). Religion appeals to ones sense of affective socialization by encouraging puritan values and morals supported by the church. The highly inviolable issue of abortion parleys condemnation by the Catholic Church against the advocating for womens rights by pro-choice groups. Catholics, while the strongest advocates, do not stand alone on this issue, as many religions preach abortion is the murder of a child. By relating a medical procedure to murder, people are emotionally affected, and instead of thinking rationally, resort to emotions to defend their stance. Schools are another important faction in delivering affective socialization, but also deliver instrumental socialization to Americas youth. Elementary classroom instruction is generally where children receive their first concrete lessons on the American political system. Teachers perform the important civic duty of instructing young Americans in political history, general laws and rights, and patriotism. Take for example the Pledge of Allegiance, recited across the nation in elementary classrooms. Day-in and day-out, children are ingrained with aShow MoreRelatedThe Political Of Political Socialization863 Words   |  4 PagesThe process of political socialization is vital in the developing of how one views politics, the way they act or choose not to act, and how they identify within the political system. Although countless influences sway or attract us to a given political view, party, or identification, there are undoubtedly certain factors that play a bigger role in this process. Some of the most prominent agents of political socialization are as follows; family, media, peers, education, religion, faith, race, genderRead MorePolitical Socialization Is A Particular Type Of Political Learning915 Words   |  4 Pages Political Socialization is a particular type of political learning where people develop the attitudes, values, beliefs, opinions and behaviors that are conducive to becoming a good citizen in their country. With political socialization there are many factors that are present when these views are formed, many are very apparent like historical events, and a clear effect such as gender, race, and socio-economics status. My own political views were formed the same way as everybody else were.Read MoreThe Factors Of Political Socialization1448 Words   |  6 PagesCheryl Lee Robin Datta November 13, 2015 Exam #2 Similar to many of the things we are introduced to growing up as humans, our political knowledge is one of the things that does not derive from one specific source. Our thoughts on politics is constantly evolving and maturing as we encounter different agents throughout our lives. These agents of political socialization include our family, our education, the media, and many more. They shape our values and beliefs from the moment we are born to theRead MorePolitical Socialization And Social Socialization1357 Words   |  6 Pagesresult, we take on characteristics of our family, friends, and associates in the hopes of â€Å"fitting in.† One of these social norms includes political affiliation. This concept of forming political ideas through friends, family, and other social constructs such as the education system and the media is called â€Å"political socialization.† Political socialization begins when we first learn of how our government works and can later help to form our own partisan orientation. This concept supposes that,Read MorePolitical Socialization955 Words   |  4 Pagesever thought about why you have the political beliefs and values you do? Where did they come from? Are they simply your own ideas and experiences or have you been influenced by others in your thinking? This process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and attitudes is called political socialization. In another words, Political socialization is a concept where the study of the developmental processes by which children and adolescents acquire political cognition, attitudes and behaviorsRead MoreThe Importance Of Political Socialization1535 Words   |  7 PagesThe main task of political socialization is to shape an individual’s political orientation, attitudes, and behaviors so that they fit into a particular political system (Lee Zhan, 1991). Existing literature assumes one’s most important political attitudes are shaped relatively early in life, and that they remain stable in subsequent phases of life (Quintelier Hooghe, 2011). As political participation is a habit shaped early in life (Valentino, Gregorowicz Groenendyk, 2009; Aldrich, MontgomeryRead MoreFactors Influencing The Political Of Political Socialization1908 Words   |  8 PagesAnna Curl May 19, 2015 Assignment Two 1. Discuss the factors that contribute to political socialization. Of these factors, which ones do you believe are the most influential over your own political socialization? Explain why by citing specific examples. Political socialization is the process by which people acquire political beliefs. This has many different sources of influence that build off of each other and are related. The more obvious of influences come from our environment, which areRead MoreWhat is Political Socialization? Essay563 Words   |  3 PagesPolitical Socialization The presidential and congressional elections come down to the two main parties except for some congressional seats where independents may win an election. Many times voters mainly vote based on which party they affiliate with most and may not understand the candidate’s views on issues. The two parties do not encompass all of one person’s political views. To understand why a person votes a certain way is to understand their political ideology and how a person comes to theirRead MoreDiscussion On Political Socialization Develops Expectations1379 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction - Political Socialization Develops Expectations Out of all the documents that make up the systems that the United States depends on, the Bill of Rights is arguably one of the most significant and influential on the way we live our lives; among these first ten amendments to the constitution are a variety of granted rights, including freedom of speech, press, and assembly, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, the right to a trial by jury,and protection from any cruel or unusualRead MoreThe Political Socialization Of Adolescent Children Of Immigrants891 Words   |  4 PagesIn â€Å"The Political Socialization of Adolescent Children of Immigrants,† Melissa Humphries and Chandra Muller of the University of Texas and Kathryn S. Schiller of the State University of New York perform an intriguing study of the political socialization of the children of immigrants. Their studies clearly show the impracticality of assuming that children of immigrants go through the same political socialization process as third generation whites. Further, they demonstrate that the process of becoming