# Were you taught your political views, or did you arrive at them yourself? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 28, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596 "2019-10-28T15:08:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2019, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/21 "2019-10-28T23:24:30Z")
Mostly myself although I learned to be independent from my Dad. I know what a few of his views were but mostly when I asked he was more like to say “What do you think – and why?” ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/22 "2019-10-29T01:46:31Z")
Mother-Apolitical Father-Full up Red Me-Moderate Dem Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/23 "2019-10-29T07:29:13Z")
I grew up in a household where the norm was to vote for the Australian Labor Party (centrist left), and that’s where I started out too. My family were pro-union, pro-logging, pro-social safety net (esp. universal health care), anti-religious and pro-choice (but way low-key - it wasn’t an important issue to them). A bit xenophobic and susceptible to anti-immigration hysteria, and a bit racist towards our indigenous peoples. Not really sure where they stood on marriage equality - seemed to be on a middle ground where they weren’t for it, but not opposed either. Just bogged down in the-way-it’s-always-been-ism. I’ve drifted further left, and align with the Australian Greens on most issues. I’m more concerned about climate and humanitarian issues than the rest of my family. I have been influenced by others, but I like to think I’d have become more aware of environmental issues as the years passed anyway. I still sympathise with the plight of the outgoing carbon-intense industries, and the effect that will have on towns like the one I grew up in, but don’t believe we can continue to take no action. I’m vocally pro-marriage equality, pro-refugee, pro-indigenous rights and pro-choice. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/24 "2019-10-29T08:00:07Z")
I can’t see how anyone can argue they were born with a set of political beliefs. I just don’t see it as a genetic issue. So I think everyone was taught their political beliefs in some manner. I feel I’m no exception to this; I’m sure my political beliefs are a product of my environment. But I like to think I practice self-reflection and question my own beliefs to see if I can justify them. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/25 "2019-10-29T08:07:36Z")
I’m assuming _reading_ about various political philosophies doesn’t count as “influence from others”, and so I voted “100 myself” - I do not share the specific politics of my family or most of my friends. Most of those are a bog standard mix of liberal democrats and socialists. The few friends who do share my politics, I met _because_ we had the same politics. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/26 "2019-10-29T15:42:26Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I can’t see how anyone can argue they were born with a set of political beliefs. I just don’t see it as a genetic issue. The science is by no means settled, and you may disagree with the conclusions, but the argument does exist. [There is this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_political_orientation) ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/27 "2019-10-29T16:39:21Z")
Am I misinterpreting the word _influence_? I am astonished that over half of respondents think that the majority of their political views were not influenced by anyone else! ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/28 "2019-10-29T17:01:04Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Am I misinterpreting the word _influence_? I am astonished that over half of respondents think that the majority of their political views were not influenced by anyone else! I might have had a bad choice of wording there - after all, influence could be negative (if you live in MAGA country, maybe that influences you to vote Democratic, or vice versa.) I meant more in the sense of, being persuaded by others to vote along their lines. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/29 "2019-10-29T17:45:57Z")
I would say about 50-50. I grew up in a reasonably Republican household, and up until my late teens, considered myself fairly staunchly Republican (to the point that I listened to Rush Limbaugh and bought his books), but not so much on social issues as much as fiscal issues. I probably was best described as a libertarian, to tell you the truth. I met a loud NY liberal from Queens in college who I became close friends with, and we argued passionately through the night about political issues. Eventually, I came to feel that my morals and philosophy were more in line with not necessarily the Democratic party, but with liberalism. I still have some economic disagreements with the Democrats and liberals, but, for the most part, I find they align far more closely to my ideals, philosophy, and morals than the Republicans. So it was an even bit of both people in my life and my own thoughts. I don’t feel I’ve changed much philosophically since identifying as a Republican, but my impressions and ideas of the parties has changed, and I identify as a liberal with a libertarian streak, for the most part. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/30 "2019-10-29T17:58:45Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > The science is by no means settled, and you may disagree with the conclusions, but the argument does exist. > > [There is this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology_and_political_orientation) I can accept the idea that people have certain genetically determined characteristics and political parties design campaigns to trigger support based on those characteristics. But I feel that’s different from saying people’s political beliefs are genetically determined. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/31 "2019-10-29T18:07:23Z")
I don’t really know, but I am absolutely certain that 1. I did not arrive at all of them myself, and 2. Everyone answering “100% myself, not at all anyone else” is fooling themselves or didn’t read the question correctly. That is a preposterous answer. You’d have had the same views if you were born in a different time and place? ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/32 "2019-10-29T18:32:00Z")
I’m one of the brave fools who is going to admit that the vast majority of my political views probably came from others. I have my political views because of the values that I hold. Those values were instilled in me by my upbringing and my interactions with those around me. In general I have surrounded myself with who share similar values and developed them further. Exposure to those outside my political sphere have in some cases caused me to moderate my views but again that is due to outside influences. It is possible that had I been raised by staunch Christian Oil magnates, and sent to Oral Roberts University, I would have been able to see past the bullshit and arrive at my current destination politically, but I wouldn’t be money on it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/33 "2019-10-29T18:48:57Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > I might have had a bad choice of wording there - after all, influence could be negative (if you live in MAGA country, maybe that influences you to vote Democratic, or vice versa.) I meant more in the sense of, being persuaded by others to vote along their lines. Still. Everything I think is because someone taught it to me. If I change my mind, it’s because I’ve had enough conversations with people or read enough to change my opinion. I form my values and change my values based on getting input from other people and adjusting my worldview based on that. My political views are completely shaped by what ideas I’ve been exposed to. The fact that my answer, that I was 100% influenced by others in every opinion I have, is the most uncommon answer given, is strange. At least in my opinion. I really didn’t think that allowing others to have an influence on me, if they have something compelling to say, was that unique and unusual of a mindset to have. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/34 "2019-10-29T21:03:41Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > 1. Everyone answering “100% myself, not at all anyone else” is fooling themselves or didn’t read the question correctly. That is a preposterous answer. You’d have had the same views if you were born in a different time and place? That is not at all how I interpreted the question, and the OP’s subsequent clarification confirmed my initial assumptions. And it’s \*your \*question that’s preposterous, because it’s so trivial. Of course if I was born in a different time and place, I’d be a completely different person anyway, not just politically. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Colossus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.colossus/32/9423_2.png) [@Dr.Colossus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Colossus)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/35 "2019-10-29T21:16:40Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I don’t really know, but I am absolutely certain that > > 1. I did not arrive at all of them myself, and > > 2. Everyone answering “100% myself, not at all anyone else” is fooling themselves or didn’t read the question correctly. That is a preposterous answer. You’d have had the same views if you were born in a different time and place? I noted in my post that I can’t really say I wasn’t influenced by anyone, but I did answer as such due to the fact the political views lopped onto me didn’t stick, and my views are not shared by anyone in my family. Basically I believe the opposite of what I was told to believe. ---
**Author:** ![pullin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c57346/32.png) [@pullin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pullin)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2019, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/36 "2019-10-29T21:22:54Z")
Politics were never a part of our lives growing up. As a kid and eventually a teenager I couldn’t have told you how my folks voted. I had no idea of Mizpullin’s political affiliation when we got married and frankly didn’t care. 40 years later I still don’t. It’s not that important to me and never will be. As I said several times here, I slept through the election coverage and found out the next morning – as I always do. Politicians come and go, they bluster and blather and have little effect on my life so I mostly ignore them. Since I never talked about it at home, and avoid the subject everywhere else, I chose that I arrived at mine pretty much 100%. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/37 "2019-10-30T01:06:30Z")
> [@Dr.Colossus](#): > > I noted in my post that I can’t really say I wasn’t influenced by anyone, but I did answer as such due to the fact the political views lopped onto me didn’t stick, and my views are not shared by anyone in my family. Basically I believe the opposite of what I was told to believe. And how did you come to those conclusions? Completely in a vacuum? Of course not. You were influenced by other people. Any political view you care to name can be demonstrated to have been affected by other people. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/38 "2019-10-30T01:42:29Z")
Obviously I read things, saw things on tv, heard other people talk… but I voted 100% on my own. Those things I read and heard were things that my curiosity led me too. I had a 100% apolitical upbringing. There was only one election when I knew who my father voted for. That was for Nixon in 72. No surprise there so did most of the country. It wouldn’t surprise me if he voted for mostly democrats but I have no way of knowing. I’m the same way with my kids. I hate talking politics and they reached their own conclusions. ---
**Author:** ![RioRico](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@RioRico](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RioRico)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2019, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/39 "2019-10-30T02:23:37Z")
I was raised conservative - I was a Goldwater activist - but then I learned better. Did sources outside my own consciousness tweak me? Sure. But I learned to compare those, and many opinions and facts, and I reached my own “realistic rad-lib” position. So whatever I believe is mostly my own fault. Oh yeah: EAT THE RICH! ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2019, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596/40 "2019-10-31T02:50:31Z")
voted other. I have until this past year pretty consistently thought of myself and declared myself to be conservative, and to be honest, still believe that to be true. A grear deal of my political leanings were absorbed at a very young age through spending a great deal of time with Grandma and Grandpa. The past few years, the political definition of the word conservative has changed. I am now most likely centrist with maaaayyyybe a touch of liberal, more in line with how my parents are(and most likely have always been) so Grandparents, media filtered through grandparents commentary (we’re watching you Grandpa, allllways watching) and then parents with a smattering of other minor influences such as other adults via their kids that I played with. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-you-taught-your-political-views-or-did-you-arrive-at-them-yourself/842596.md?page=3)