Parents, children, and political ideologies

[wayward]

Interesting article from The Atlantic: "Do Children Just Take Their Parents' Political Beliefs? It's Not That Simple"

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc ... fs/361462/

[Ave Maria]

We were always taught in PoliSci class that 2/3 of people belong to the political party of their parents. I sort of do -- my parents were non-affiliated when I registered to vote but I wanted to vote in primaries. I am, however, affiliated with the same party as my dad now -- he also wanted to vote in primaries.

However, on some individual issues, we disagree, with me being more socially conservative than they are. *shrug*

[lemonhead]

That is an interesting article--thanks.

My parents were Tea Party before there was a Tea Party. They (we) were part of the grassroots/culture war/far right Republican movement in the 80s that involved electing local conservatives to the school boards and state lege with the long game goal of taking over the national Republican party. That strategy seems to have worked, to an extent. I was a political pawn in their protests and anti-liberal campaigns and looking back I resent that.

I am a Democrat these days. (I always was the troublemaker in the family; it just took a while to figure out where my black sheep status put me on the political spectrum).

My DH is a Republican, but more from a fiscal than social standpoint. His parents are Republicans, too. I can understand his position, because I'm a little leery of some of the Dem thinking on financials as well. We're both agnostic these days, and probably would be considered pragmatists, so our religious beliefs have zero influence on our politics.

All of this to say, our kids are exposed to opposing political viewpoints, they know who we vote for and why, and who knows where they may land as adults. We try to discuss rather than indoctrinate. I would hope they grow up appreciating the social justice I respect in the Democratic party, while also being mindful of fiscal taxpayer responsibilities. I hope to instill empathy and a sense of justice, wherever that may align them politically.

[nelliebelle1197]

That is an interesting article--thanks.

My parents were Tea Party before there was a Tea Party. They (we) were part of the grassroots/culture war/far right Republican movement in the 80s that involved electing local conservatives to the school boards and state lege with the long game goal of taking over the national Republican party. That strategy seems to have worked, to an extent. I was a political pawn in their protests and anti-liberal campaigns and looking back I resent that.

I am a Democrat these days. (I always was the troublemaker in the family; it just took a while to figure out where my black sheep status put me on the political spectrum).

My DH is a Republican, but more from a fiscal than social standpoint. His parents are Republicans, too. I can understand his position, because I'm a little leery of some of the Dem thinking on financials as well. We're both agnostic these days, and probably would be considered pragmatists, so our religious beliefs have zero influence on our politics.

All of this to say, our kids are exposed to opposing political viewpoints, they know who we vote for and why, and who knows where they may land as adults. We try to discuss rather than indoctrinate. I would hope they grow up appreciating the social justice I respect in the Democratic party, while also being mindful of fiscal taxpayer responsibilities. I hope to instill empathy and a sense of justice, wherever that may align them politically.

I have never bought the whole "fiscal Republican" nonsense. Republican fiscal policies are disastrous for all but the top tier and the issues with progressive policy has more to do with how progressives have allowed Republicans to write the message. Top down economics and limited regulation don't work and the mess we are in now is proof.

[HoneyBunny]

Very interesting article, and I was having just this discussion with a friend yesterday. She was raised liberal, and is now far right. My parents were Socialist/Communist, big on organized labor, and I rebelled against that like crazy. Likewise, it irritated them that I got two degrees in business and was very pro-business...for a while. In my late 30s, I changed, and, while not a Communist like my dad, would probably be called a Socialist like my mom. I kind of don't understand how anyone isn't, TBH. The biggest risk to this country's long term survival is the shrinking middle class (and my dad sits up in his grave and says, "FINALLY!).

[polecat]

I was raised in an extremely politically conservative home. I'm now liberal enough to curl my mother's hair (Green Party) were she still alive. My dad's disowned me, so I've no idea what he thinks of my beliefs. Ah well.

[Chowder Head]

I honestly have no idea what party my parents support.

[IronicallyMaeve]

My mom and I agree on a lot of things, but we have our differences. She's ultra-liberal, and I guess I'm more moderate. For example, she despises religion, especially Christianity. I think religion holds important social and cultural functions. She's extremely anti-gun, while not as much.

She's registered Green, but I'm independent. She took me to anti-war and anti-logging protests when I was little.

ETA: I think the first parents in the article are a little nuts. If someone brought Chick-Fil-A to a party I'd probably eat it. Well, probably not but that's only because I think fast food is gross. I do avoid WalMart if at all possible though!

[ADoyle90815]

I'm also more moderate than my parents, as both are registered Democrats, and my dad is especially liberal to the point where he didn't think Obama did enough, and only voted for him a second time because he didn't want Romney to win. He's also against organized religion, especially as he had the Catholic church forced on him growing up, but he will go to church for weddings and funerals.

[Marianne]

I didn't have family. When I studied economy, i read marx, and it seems so... logical. Before making my choice, I try to read liberals (Adam Smith and Jean-Baptiste Say), and Keynes. I loved Keynes, but Marx take my heart :D

[Arete]

Eh, dad believed in Anarchy, meaning that political decisions should come by public consensus, and that there should be no political "leaders". Yeah, he was a little different in the way he approached his politics. My mom is a garden variety Democrat, as am I. SisA is a Green, SisB is a Dem. Both my grandmothers were European Christian Democrats. No one knows how either of my grandfathers voted, because after Greece's Civil War they decided best to pretend Greece was a society without political parties. I have an uncle who is a die hard Trotskyist and another whose Marxism leans to Maoism. The Maoist's son is a Social Democrat and his father considers that disgraceful. My own political leanings are considered disgraceful by my Marxist uncles, but they say the fault there lies with my own father, for being careless with our political education.

Good times at family holidays. ;)

[SPHASH]

Growing up my parents were Republicans and until I was 16 leaned that way. Then after Gulf War I I became dissolusioned with Bush41. Even though I couldn't vote Bill Clinton showed promise. My parents especially my dad OTHO hated Clinton as they were Reaganites. Clinton could do no right even as he tried to work with Republicans. Because of my parents treatment of him I started favoring liberal ideas and I haven't looked back. My dad died during Dumbya's 2nd term so I have idea how he would have felt about the Tea Party. He would have liked McCain but would have despised Palin. He wouldn't have liked Romney cuz he was from the East Coast and snobby but I could see him embracing Paul Ryan cuz he is from the Midwest or maybe even Chris Christie cuz he's such a "budget balancer". Now my mom is a different story. She now has voted twice for Obama and has admitted the Republicans are assholes. Right now she isn't happy with Obama but felt he was a better alternative to Mitt.

[scc12]

I don't at all.I saw straight thru that conservative nonsense a long time ago.

I did at first...when I was younger,subscribe to their beleifs.But once I started thinking and questioning for myself...no way.

[Luvmyskinnyjeanz]

I had a history teacher explain to us once that we should try to be in the middle. He explained it like this,

If you draw a straight line and put extreme communism on the left end and extreme capitalism on the right side, the best political parties are dead centre. Taking the best qualities from both ends so you have a more balanced and fair society. The more both sides argue and move either left or right the more I see his point and agree with it. But that's just my opinion. My parents are slightly more capitalist and my kids are kids, they couldn't care less at the moment because they are too busy doing kid stuff to worry about adult crap.

[Full enough quiver]

My super conservative Catholic parents raised 1. oldest sister, democrat, feminist, mainline protestant, 2.older sister, very conservative catholic, can out catholic the pope 3. Me, far left, agnostic, feminist, pro choice, 4. Younger sister, catholic in name only, republican because "people should take responsibility for themselves". Which would be ok if I weren't raising her children. And she weren't in jail. So, yeah. 5, 6. Younger brothers. One passed several years ago. Both far left, spiritual but not religious, 7. Youngest sister, moderate, mainline protestant, 8. Youngest brother hasn't been able to vote yet, is pro choice, bisexual, atheist, so probably won't be voting Republican. So they got 2 out of 7 living kids.

Mine are still young, but all 4 are spiritual but not interested in practicing a particular religion. All 4 believe in respecting the rights of everyone regardless of race, sex, orientation, whatever. The girls are old enough to know they're pro choice. Obviously at 8 and10, the boys don't know what abortion is. They all know they have gay relatives, and some gay family friends. They are not cool with people taking away their rights. They respect women, because women and men are people who have equal value, even though they may have differences. Where is the line between raising kids with good values and indoctrination? My kids are free to think how they want, but they believe like I do, because those are the values they have been taught. Fundies teach the wrong values, but that's their right. At what point does teaching them right from wrong become brainwashing?

[maybeizfundie]

Before they married, my mom was radical liberal, dad was apolitical but if forced to lean one way or the other he would have leaned Socialist.

They met, found Jesus, got married, and had kids. They ended up joining up with the anabaptist segment of Christianity, so they didn't vote at all for a couple of decades.

They are now fairly devout Catholics, so they do vote, but aren't particularly enamored of any one party. My dad's method is figuring out "who is the least worst of the lot." and he doesn't vote by party, but by issues. I have no idea who he's voted for the last couple of years because he's not an activist and he is still, I think, trying to figure out whether and how his faith should influence his participation in politics so he's not inclined to boast or complain much about who's in office.

Out of us kids, I am a lot like my parents. Not hugely invested in politics and not bound to one party. My brother is a Catholic and straight-laced Republican, afaik. Sister #1 is a devout Catholic, her husband is Air Force, and they vote Republican fairly regularly. Sister #2 is far left, agnostic, lesbian, and I'm pretty sure she doesn't lean right in her politics.

Interestingly, my dad's siblings all vote Republican, including his two sisters who are agnostic, one who lives with her male partner (never married) and one who has a decades long lesbian relationship (has chosen not to marry, though they could now). Their parents were not religious, but were staunch Republicans. So it's kind of funny that the most religious people in the extended family are the ones least attached to the Republican party.

[DGayle]

My mom was liberal for the wrong reasons. As a low-life, she always thought it was the responsibility of others to support her. She didn't care about kids eating or disabled people getting help. If others happened to get help as a side effect of the tax payers supporting her, then that's what happened. She reflects her entire family.

My dad was a republican when republicans were the equivalent of today's liberals. He supported a fair day's pay and helping people who were making an effort and just needed help for a while. He said it was the right thing to do because any hard-worker can find themselves down in the dumps with one emergency, and that the disabled shouldn't be left to rot over something they can't control.

My dad's parents are, and always have been, hard-core tea partiers, even before there was such a thing. Of their kids, aside from my dad and one of his sisters, the rest of them are repubs. One of them is like my mom's family and even thinks it's exciting that her low-life daughter wants to have more kids. That little brat doesn't want to have and raise them. She just likes saying how many kids she's given birth to. She has custody of one, and her rights terminated on the rest. The liberal sister is very wealthy, and she argues constantly that taxes need to be raised on people like her.

My views are more in line with my dad, and colored by my family. I'm in favor of increasing the minimum wage and heavily fining big companies for each worker who needs welfare on top of their wages to support a family of 4. No company should be on the hook for not paying a worker enough to support 18 kids! I also favor typing public assistance to the efforts an abled adult is making. Go to school, volunteer, apply for jobs, learn a trade, something. Someone who will do no more than sit on their asses collecting checks, the people who only feed their kids if there's money on the food stamp card, is being bribed to not starve their kids, and should be treated like neglectful thieves. But people who are making an effort should get more help, Fir instance, a lack of access to child care is a problem. Usually you need a job lined up just to apply, and getting approved and a spot in a facility for your kid can take months. Don't work while waiting, and you lose your job.

So I'm liberal with a catch, and the catch is you have to do your part to help yourself if you want help from me. I tie the help I give to my friends is the same. I'll outright give money, rather than lend, if I see an effort. If I see someone whining, but passing up opportunities, you're not getting my money, even as a loan.

[mockingbird]

My parents are/were Republicans. I know my dad still is. My mom refused to discuss who she voted for with anyone in the family during the last election. I would think she probably identifies as Republican (probably more like DGayle's parents, the "old school" type Republicans), but may have voted across the party line last election.

As for myself... I really try to vote by issues or at least did at first. I was/am really close to my HS government teacher and she impressed on us how voting is a responsibility that you should put some thought into. Right out of high school, during my first election (Obama vs. McCain), she challenged me to go through each of the issues the candidates were representing and choose a side on each one - I really should find that and see what changed if anything really since I feel like the parties have changed even since then. I ended up happy and confident that I was picking the person who represented my values the most. I ended up Republican and my friends and I spent a lot of time debating leading up to the election, and going to various rallies around the city (anyone no matter what party they were from, just to experience it). I was involved in the college group for my first year, but I wasn't really into the local politics and a lot of it was spent hate-mongering with the Democrats (and vice versa) so I quit. Last presidential election I was kind-of a bad girl and voted straight ticket Democrat... I had promised myself I would NEVER vote straight-ticket anything but I was so pissed off about the birth control "debate" and Romney flip-flopping on support of his state's health plan (you know the one that's pretty close to the ACA) that I felt like I couldn't in good conscience support any Republican candidates at the time. Honestly I don't know where I stand right now because I don't think there is a good choice thanks to the Republicans allowing extremism into their party - the default is Democrat, but I'm still not a hardcore Democrat, either. (ETA: I meant to say here that I think DGayle's statement of her political beliefs is pretty close to what my thinking has evolved to now. Thanks for that!)

I don't really talk politics with my family because... I guess I don't feel like they would be open to debate and it would cause more harm to our relationship than good. I wouldn't tell them how I was voting in the last election either. I did tell my dad I thought Michelle Bachmann was crazy and he didn't seem to have a problem with that lol. I do discuss politics with my old government teacher though (we are more comfortable debating with each other and often have opposing views so it's interesting). I think she normally really practices what she preaches about voting by issues - I'd say she is pretty liberal but she doesn't identify with any specific party - but it was funny that when we met up with each other right before the election last year, we both wanted to "confess" that we were going to vote straight-ticket Democrat and were annoyed with the Catholic Church's politicking (we are both Catholic).

[hahe77]

I was raised by two Republicans who was told my vote went to the person against abortion. The other issues didn't matter. I was forced to watch John Hagee every Sunday and remember thinking the man wasn't a man of God but preached about hate.

As an adult, I was very confused. I didn't know how I could feel like I did politically and still be a Christian. Then I met some amazing people who helped me break free of what I was raised to believe. It also gave me the courage to stop forcing myself to go to church. I learned I don't need a church to be a Christian.

I am a Democrat and my mom calls me the black sheep of the family. We do not talk politics at all and I try to stay away from religion. My mom thinks this is a Christian nation and leave if your not. I believe we should respect those who believe differently.

My husband feels similar to how I feel. When our children ask us our opinions on a topic, we will often ask their their thoughts first. Then we tell them what our beliefs are and stress that it's great that people don't all agree with each other.

My son will be 18 soon and I don't think he really cares about anything political. He's never expressed his opinions and when I asked him, he said he doesn't care about political stuff. I asked him if he knows what my views are and he didn't.

My daughter is 12 and asks lots of questions. She is very vocal about social justice. I think she would be independent

.

[DGayle]

Last presidential election I was kind-of a bad girl and voted straight ticket Democrat... I had promised myself I would NEVER vote straight-ticket anything

Straight-ticket is only bad if you're doing it because you think you have to if you want to be a "real" Dem or Rep. I usually end up voting straight-ticket, but that's only because of who I agree with. I refuse to vote for a different party for a position if I genuinely feel that I picked the best candidates. As long as you aren't getting your ballot and looking for the D or R after someone's name and voting for whoever has the right letter, then straight-ticket is fine.

I was so pissed off about the birth control "debate" and Romney flip-flopping on support of his state's health plan (you know the one that's pretty close to the ACA) that I felt like I couldn't in good conscience support any Republican candidates at the time.

Access to birth control and equal rights are key issues to me as well. Those are basic human rights issues, and anyone who opposes them should not, in my opinion, hold any position of representation. I can understand being against abortion because a lot of pro-lifers are worried about the rights of the unborn, but whose rights are of concern with birth control and equal rights? Those are all about taking away rights entirely and not about preserving rights. Your right to a hetero marriage isn't at risk just because two men or two women can get married, and your right to have all the kids you want isn't at risk because the woman up the road wants access to birth control.

Honestly I don't know where I stand right now because I don't think there is a good choice thanks to the Republicans allowing extremism into their party - the default is Democrat, but I'm still not a hardcore Democrat, either. (ETA: I meant to say here that I think DGayle's statement of her political beliefs is pretty close to what my thinking has evolved to now. Thanks for that!)

I only register Dem so I can vote in primaries. I'm really a political independent, technically a swing voter, since I'll vote for who I think is best regardless of their registered party. It just happens that I've felt best about Dems for several years. I did vote for Bush the first time, a write-in in 2004, and Obama in 2008. McCain might have stood a chance for my vote if I wasn't concerned about Palin being one heart attack away from running this country. With what McCain has said over the last handful of years, I'm now convinced that, Palin aside, I still voted right. Nothing to do with party, everything to do with person. In fact, as far as politicians go, I'm not yet anti-Christy. Depending on who he runs against, he may still have my support. There are Dems I don't want to be near any political office.

I don't really talk politics with my family because... I guess I don't feel like they would be open to debate and it would cause more harm to our relationship than good.

Welcome to my family. My grandparents are raising one of their grandkids, and once my feelings on their beloved Palin became known last month, they banned my young cousin from talking to me. I'm a bad influence. She has a Facebook account they don't know about, and we still talk. She agrees with my political views. In fact, them trying to ban conversation because of political views has solidified her support for equal rights. She doesn't like being told who she can love, and the hurt of that drove home how wrong it is to ban consenting adults from loving who they love.

[DGayle]

I was raised by two Republicans who was told my vote went to the person against abortion. The other issues didn't matter. I was forced to watch John Hagee every Sunday and remember thinking the man wasn't a man of God but preached about hate.

As an adult, I was very confused. I didn't know how I could feel like I did politically and still be a Christian. Then I met some amazing people who helped me break free of what I was raised to believe. It also gave me the courage to stop forcing myself to go to church. I learned I don't need a church to be a Christian.

I am a Democrat and my mom calls me the black sheep of the family. We do not talk politics at all and I try to stay away from religion. My mom thinks this is a Christian nation and leave if your not. I believe we should respect those who believe differently.

My husband feels similar to how I feel. When our children ask us our opinions on a topic, we will often ask their their thoughts first. Then we tell them what our beliefs are and stress that it's great that people don't all agree with each other.

My son will be 18 soon and I don't think he really cares about anything political. He's never expressed his opinions and when I asked him, he said he doesn't care about political stuff. I asked him if he knows what my views are and he didn't.

My daughter is 12 and asks lots of questions. She is very vocal about social justice. I think she would be independent

.

What a lot of self-proclaimed "good Christians" forget is that Jesus wouldn't ever have denied health care or food to people because they couldn't pay. Those people who vote Rep based on abortion and who don't care about taking care of the flock are doing what Jesus wouldn't have. In fact, the bible never even speaks against abortion.

Better to be the black sheep speaking for EQUAL rights and what's right, than to be a passive mouthpiece to keep the peace.

[Vivi_music]

I certainly can talk about politics with my close family (parents and siblings) because we mainly have the same political point of views. My parents were hippies and they raised a bunch of leftist, green, feminist, pro-choice kids. :P Maybe our opinions vary on one or two specific issues, but for the main part, we all agree. So I guess this article is right for the main part.

That being said, I try not to talk about politics with my extended family because their opinions vary a lot. My uncles and aunts were all raised by the same people, but the political spectrum is very wide. Considering my family actually went through some big fights over politics, in the 80's and 90's, I know it can be ugly. My mother and her sister didn't talk for years and in the end, we realized it wasn't really worth it.

[Luvmyskinnyjeanz]

I certainly can talk about politics with my close family (parents and siblings) because we mainly have the same political point of views. My parents were hippies and they raised a bunch of leftist, green, feminist, pro-choice kids. :P Maybe our opinions vary on one or two specific issues, but for the main part, we all agree. So I guess this article is right for the main part.

That being said, I try not to talk about politics with my extended family because their opinions vary a lot. My uncles and aunts were all raised by the same people, but the political spectrum is very wide. Considering my family actually went through some big fights over politics, in the 80's and 90's, I know it can be ugly. My mother and her sister didn't talk for years and in the end, we realized it wasn't really worth it.

Same with my mothers family, lol one time I was bored and knowing my mother and her brother have different political views, I said something along the lines of 'but X need money more then Y' and sat and watched the entertainment. Yes I know this is bad but we all love each other and never hold grudges and our arguments can be so funny to watch as we are a family of stubborn know-it-alls. My cousins saw what I did and laughed. 8-)

[scc12]

OMG I know...I would NEVER base my vote on one issue alone,like a lot of conservatives do with abortion.there is so much else to consider.

[Arete]

I consider the political discussions at family holidays where all players are going to the mat for their position as integral as the pork at Christmas and the lamb at Easter. :p