I think I raised my kids to think for themselves. They are both conservative. I have also encouraged my grandchildren to do the same. The largest part of that is giving them the information and teaching to be able to make decisions.
I went through a period in my 20’s of HEAVILY rebelling against the Conservative political and religious opinions of my mom. Would probably get banned from FR if I told you some of the people and things I voted for during that time.
After I started having kids of my own life whacked me upside the head and convinced me how much damned sense she made.
Fortunately I became a dad at 26. So my adolescence did not extend into my 40’s as it seems to with a lot of guys these days.
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.