Kassondra Scott November 11, 2008 AP U.S. Government Chapter 6 Essay

Political Socialization Political socialization is a sub process of political learning, essential to someone trying to create their own political identity. The three agents of political socialization are the family, the mass media, and school. Schools are sued by the government to promote nationalism, instill loyalty, and create support for basic values. In American schools, saying the pledge of allegiance, though seemingly communistic, does all of the above. Additionally, most American schools are public, allowing the government to choose the teachers and the books permitted in the classroom. The goal is to infuse American values of capitalism and democracy while producing educated individuals. Studies show that those who are educated are more likely to vote, and are also more open to different perspectives. Despite all the effort put forth by the government, most political socialization occurs outside of school. Studies also show that kids spend more time watching television than they do at school. Some observers refer to the mass media as the “new parent”. The media helps people formulate opinions and influence ideology through the content shown on TV, especially news networks. The media tends to displace parents as a source of information, but programs with that power generally viewed by older people. This is why the family plays the biggest role in political socialization. The family has such an impact because of its hold on time and emotional commitment during developmental years. Just as the morals and values parents teach their children affect how they are as a person later on, the parents’ political beliefs rub off on their children. Young voters try to think and vote independently, but studies show that parental beliefs influence the way the offspring vote. Because the child was raised with the same morals and values as their parents, a similarity in party affiliation is most likely to follow.