Political socialization
Hi Everyone,
Political socialization is the process via which citizens of a country are indoctrinated into political opinions, beliefs, values, ideology, and attitudes (Magstadt, 2017). According to Cobb (2019), “Socialization is the process through which we acquire beliefs about the world around us.” The process of socialization allows citizens to relate to the country’s political system. Factors that influence one’s political socialization include peer groups, the mass media, family, school, and religion, among others (Cobb, 2019). Countries with low political socialization often experience political instability (Cobb, 2019). My political socialization process started at home, where my family shares homogenous political beliefs. Both my parents are staunch Democrats. They would often have discussions around my siblings and I as they analyzed the political events. Notably, they were warm and supportive when discussing Democrat candidates.
Conversely, the tone would change whenever a Republican candidate was the subject of the discussion. I began to develop an appreciation for the role played by politics in life. Also, growing up in the age of mass media has made political information easily accessible and has a significant influence on my political values and beliefs. Through the different media outlets, including late-night programs, provide diverse partisan policy stances associated with political participation. Research indicates that mass media is an influential agent of political socialization that plays an immense role in the political attitudes and behaviors of voters and nonvoters (Kononova et al., 2011, p. 306).
My first experience with voting was when I was 12 years old in grade 7, when I ran for the class representative position. The experience helped me develop an appreciation for the power and influence of voting. Also, I learned how to study candidates and issues relevant to an election. The election gave me a foundation of what is involved in the registration and voting process and in learning how to participate in civic affairs.
As a young adult, I have a better understanding of how politics can make or break people’s lives, and I am more critical in analyzing political ideologies. I find it ironic that despite claiming to embrace democracy, the United States has only two dominant political parties. I think the idea of dividing voters into blue and red states limits the voters’ options. Also, having to choose between only two presidential candidates is not exactly a fair representation. I believe in the power of voting, but I think there should be more political parties besides the Republicans and Democrats to diversify democracy. Generally, most of my political socialization comes from mass media, and I agree with Cobb (2019) when she says that media plays a huge role in “promoting democratic ideals if not democracy itself.”
References
Cobb, W. N. (2019). Political Science Today. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781544358314/
Kononova, A., Alhabash, S., & Cropp, F. (2011). The role of media in the process of socialization to American politics among international students. International Communication Gazette, 73(4), 302–321. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048511398592
Magstadt, T. M. (2017). Understanding politics: Ideas, institutions, and issues. Cengage Learning.