Dayana Joseph
U.S. Government
Victoria Hammond
6-14-10
A population’s views on political issues may change as different circumstances occur each day. “Political socialization is the learning process by which people acquire their political opinions, beliefs, and values” (Patterson 201). The environment around us has a powerful influence on the decisions we produce and the views we choose to hold as American citizens. After attending the current lecture about public opinion and political socialization in U.S. Government, I began to ponder on my political views and ideologies.
Political socialization takes place in every society, but it is done in a variety of ways. The most prominent agents of political socialization are family, religion, and race. Family plays a very important role in politically socializing me, especially in learning how to conduct my social behavior on a routine day. From the time I was an infant, my family started politically socializing me. One of the first steps of this was, potty training. When I was being potty trained I was taught that I cannot urinate anywhere like I used to when wearing a diaper. I was taught that the restroom is the socially acceptable place. Family also provided me with practical lessons of fundamental principles to use in a society other than my own. For example, washing my hands before I eat is a simple task that is done in most societies. If I did not wash my hands, then I would be considered as an “outcast” to the people that accompany me and inconsiderate. Family also helps me understand how to communicate with people respectably. My mother would often say to me, “Treat others, as you would like to be treated.” This taught me that if I treated people with respect that I would also receive it. “By the time children reach adulthood, many of the beliefs and values that will stay with them throughout life are firmly in place” (Patterson 203). At an early age, I learned my parents’ political attitude and supported them, and if there was a difference in view, I usually trusted their ways. Through my parents, I felt a sense of belonging to a particular political group. This feeling of belonging is becoming very resistant to change throughout my adult life. When my parents discuss political opinions at home, I absorb this information and tend to adapt to their view. Since I am the youngest and the one who is always bored in my family, I am the most exposed to the discussions and opinions of my family members because I get caught in between. There happens to be a political discussion everyday, either my family is gathered around the table to eat dinner or outside in the patio talking about the current President, Obama and his decisions or their beliefs. As I think about the process in which has moulded me into the person that I am today, I realize that most of my beliefs were instilled in me at a young age. These beliefs have directed me in most of the decisions that I have made over the course of my life; and these decisions are exactly what have given me my identity. My family is the most important part of who I am and they are always there for me. They are my support and encouragement.
