Political Identity

Politics affect every single thing in our lives, because politics are the basis of how our government responds to the problems we face everyday. Even if we don’t care to admit it, each and everyone of us have political views. These views form the foundation of our political identities. However, we are not born with these political identities. Each identity is the culmination of our views on each issue, efficacy, and party affiliations all of which are formed gradually as we are exposed to different influences in our lives. To learn more about the way political identities are formed I interviewed my dad about his.

Upon asking about my dad’s political views he identified as a hardcore republican, but after further interviewing him I felt that this title is not at all that representative of his beliefs. Instead it seemed to be a label that he uses because it is what those around him had used. …show more content…
He never votes in election and rarely follows the news covering political events except during election years, and even then he still does so very loosely. This inactivity is primarily do to his beliefs on voting being a waste of time. He told me he derived this attitude towards voting because he felt that it was not important because nothing would change if he decided to vote or not. When the outcome doesn't appear to matter to someone political engagement is a hard thing to produce.

Interviewing my dad has provided me great insight into the factors that steer the way people develop their political identities. Showing the importance of the environment we are raised in, and especially showing just how much effect the beliefs of those around us have on our own views: especially our families. This insight I have gained helps me to be more aware of the factors that have gone into developing my own political identity. This awareness will allow me to have further control over my political