Posted on 05/02/2014 7:29:58 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
A recent study shows that children who are raised to have strong beliefs are also more likely to rebel against those views as they age.
It is widely believed that children will imitate their parents’ behaviors and attitudes—whether parents want them to or not. The 1961 Bobo Doll experiment, conducted by Stanford professor Albert Bandura, demonstrated that children will interact with others in the precise manner that was modeled for them by adults.
Given this responsibility, many parents try to instruct their children and impart their views, perhaps hoping their kids become carbon copies of themselves, or become the people they wish they were themselves.
For some parents, this quest takes on a missionary zeal: They work to indoctrinate their children with a designated political viewpoint from an early age, raising them to be young ideologues. But new research suggests trying to plant those seeds during potty training might actually be the fastest way to guarantee political rebellion later on.
(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...
One of the most Conservative guys I know had a grandmother who was a flat-out, card carrying Communist in the 1930’s, and remained one until she passed on a few ticks shy of 100.
Ultra liberal Juan Williams’ son Rafi Williams is not only a Republican, but is active in the Republican party, he is deputy press secretary for the Republican National Committee.
Go, Rafi!
I have two hard left,two hard right,and one who wavers.
We all get along-—just avoid politics.
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My dad was a long time Democrat committee member. I have four brothers and sisters, all but one are conservatives, not Republicans.
The Kennedy family (and every other political dynasty) seems to offer evidence to counter this theory.
I have seen that also. My older sister is pretty liberal now, but her teen age daughter is not. This is despite living in Seattle, and having it forced fed to her from the public schools.
I sometimes think it is how we are wired from birth. The book “The Righteous Mind” says that, I and have seen it. Also explains in part why some many devout Catholics remain so liberal.
My dad was a UAW stalwart. Voted straight Democrat. Mom didnt really care, but she did like Nixon. Go figure.
Thankfully I grew up in the 80s and discovered talk radio in Jr. High.
My father taught me to be strong in my beliefs and think for myself. He had hoped that would mean I saw the world in the same way he did, but we’re polar opposites on many issues. It wasn’t until I pointed out to him that he had taught me to stand firm on what I felt was true that this didn’t become an issue.
I don’t know if it’s so much that kids rebel or that they are told to stand for what they believe in and they do it, even if that may be contrary to how their parents see things.
I have taught my sons the same lesson, and if that makes them develop views that are different from mine, so be it.
I believe we are all shaped by what we experience, and as we don’t all experience the same thing, we’re not all ever going to think alike.
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