The process through which an individual develops his beliefs, emotions, opinions, behaviors, and values of a political culture with the passage of time is called political socialization. Certain factors have a significant influence on the ways an individual matures politically. People develop their political selves, i.e., a sense of identification with the world of politics, throughout their courses of life. It begins when one is very young and only a child. Developing a sense of patriotism or the feeling that he belongs to a particular nation is the initial point of this political learning process. It is a learning process where one develops a political understanding of the world around him through various kinds of interactions (University of Minnesota, 2011).
Family plays a vital role in influencing our day-to-day social behavior and later, in politically socializing us. Most of my political beliefs are also centered on my family. And it is quite logical because as we grow up watching our family, it is certain that we will pick a lot of our values and beliefs from them. My family that I am quite glad about; is more of a liberal family.
Growing up in the southern region of the state of California, the majority there is categorized as liberals and so has been my family. I have seen my parents taking an active part in the elections and political activities that were conducted in our area from the very start. They have always been huge supporters of the Democrats from what I can remember.
My father used to attend every Democratic corner meeting that was held in our region. I have grown up watching all of it. They had played their part in developing, not only a sense of Pro-Democrats, but also; an anti-Republican feeling in me. All my childhood I had this realization that Republicans were this evil party who was doing everything wrong in our country, but it was not before my teenage since I started to get familiar with the reasons and logic behind it.
My school was one of the significant factors that framed my political socialization. I went to a private school in the state. My teachers, my friends; the majority of them were liberals and pro-Democrats. I remember there was this girl in our class whose parents were huge supporters of the Republican Party. She, at that time, might not even have a sense about what it was but she faced quite a hard time in school.
As most of us had this inherited perception that Republicans were something more than worse, students’ attitude towards her was not normal. She belonged to a different family, and it was hard for most of us to digest. Republican supporters, here in California, are considered somewhat predators. But now as I look back, I think it is quite unfair. We might not be sensible enough at that time, but children should not be judged on their parents’ beliefs as everyone has his/own thoughts and beliefs.
It is likely that one might adopt them from their parents, but schooling also plays a major hand in it. Proper knowledge and education can reshape one’s political stance. Liberalism is all about freedom and some people here in California still need to understand that. Others political stances and beliefs should be respected as well.
Despite that, my pro-Democrat teachers and schooling made me one passionate liberal. I remember in the year 2012, the presidential elections were about to be held, and the campaigns were in full swing. I was in my senior year in school, and there were these groups of students being made to take part in the Election campaigns. I was quite excited to be a part of it. We used to distribute pamphlets and brochures all day, carried banners and decorated the whole city with Democrats’ signs and posters.
It was the first time in my life when my parents would happily let me stay late out of the house because they were themselves huge supporters of Barrack Obama. Hah! It was all quite fun. On November 6th, 2012, when the result of the elections was announced, it was a time of celebration in California. And it continued for a week, I guess. People used to get together on the streets, distribute sweets and dance all night.
Now, I wonder if Obama’s reelection gave everybody such joy here; what would have been the sight of California in 2008. It was the first time when The United States got a black president. People here are mostly immigrants, and a huge number of black Americans are located in this state. Thus, I can imagine the magnitude of celebrations. It would have been quite a happy time (NBC News, 2008).
Talking about high school, I went to the public college. By that time, I was in my middle teens and had developed quite a sense of the political world. My ideology, indeed, became clearer, but did not change at all. I was a liberal by heart. My stance for government were the same as that of liberalism. Democracy is required for the freedom of the people; it is my strong belief. The practices of society should evolve with the requirements of society or for the greater good. Government is necessary to implement law and justice in society and to make sure that the poor are not deprived of their rights. However, as far as the economy is concerned, the government’s intervention should be limited (Dagger, Ball, Minogue, & Girvetz, 2018).
It was all that I knew and believed. In the presidential elections of 2016, I worked as a volunteer in the election campaign. I was quite determined to play my part in the implementation of the elections and worked as a college volunteer. My job was the registration and mobilization of new voters. It was quite a new experience. We used to go door to door and collect information. I got to interact with a lot of people and speak directly to the voters. It was one hell of an exposure; talking to the people and getting to know about their views as well (Tishgart, 2012). However, the result of those elections became a source of sorrow and grief for the people of California. I remember it was quite a sad day here.
The agents of political socialization that have significantly influenced my political ideology include my family, teachers, friends, and schooling system. My location obviously played an important part as well. But now as I look back, I think my beliefs have groomed lot with time. I believe in putting people over profits. I do not mind paying more taxes if it would get poor people free medical treatment.
Likewise, putting reasons and logic over faith is also important. It is one point that is not practiced by all the Californians. But it has become a strong belief of mine that any religious faith that oppresses the rights of others is wrong. I believe in all kinds of freedom. Homosexual marriages should be allowed. Abortion should not be restricted. A person should have complete freedom in making his own choices irrespective of faiths and religions.
However, it is my opinion that the government should have certain authority to have control over people. It is necessary for the implementation of equality and the law in the country. It is also another belief that is not observed in some of the liberal Californians. Thus, now at this point in my life, I would like to categorize my political ideology as progressivism rather than classical liberalism.
Reference
Dagger, R., Ball, T., Minogue, K., & Girvetz, H. K. (2018, October 18). Liberalism. https://www.britannica.com/topic/liberalism
NBC News. (2008, November 5). Tears of joy, dancing in streets over Obama win. http://www.nbcnews.com/id/27549904/ns/
politics-decision_08/t/tears-joy-dancing-streets-over-obama-win/
Tishgart, S. (2012, April 16). What You Need to Know to Volunteer for a Political Campaign. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/how-to-volunteer-political-campaign
University of Minnesota. (2011). American Government and Politics in the Information Age. University of Minnesota Libraries Publishing.
+447462439809