Political Socialization

People are not born with political ideas, nor do we manufacture them: We learn them through a process called political socialization. Beginning in early childhood and throughout our lives we are exposed to a variety of individuals and groups known as agents for political socialization. These individuals or groups teach us about their political opinions and the workings of the political system. Some of these agents have a greater impact on our independent personal beliefs …

…may choose to join that merely joins together people who already hold the same values and objectives. Since these people already have the same opinions there are not likely to form new ones, but they tend to reinforce the beliefs and opinions the members already have formed. Agents for political socialization influence every individual, and continue to influence us throughout our entire lifetime as our knowledge and values change in response to life’s changes.