It's Okay To Have The Same Political Views As Your Parents
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

It's Okay To Have The Same Political Views As Your Parents

No matter how someone acquires their beliefs, they should be respected.

234
It's Okay To Have The Same Political Views As Your Parents
Unsplash

Whether it be by avidly watching the news, learning from their parents, listening to the radio, or regularly reading the newspapers, everyone comes to their own political conclusions and beliefs in one way or another. No matter how someone acquires their beliefs, they should be respected. I have noticed that younger generations have recently taken to belittling the beliefs of others when their beliefs tend to identify similarly with those of their family members.

In recent years, there has been a stigma around “getting” one’s political views from other people they may know, particularly family members. The claim here is that your beliefs aren’t true if they’ve been impressed upon you by others. There have been a few too many times I’ve heard someone say, “Oh, you only believe that because your parents told you.” What I could never understand about comments such as this is why someone’s beliefs should be undermined simply because of the means of which they ar to those beliefs.

I would like to point out that I have heard comments similar to that quoted above from people across the entirety of the political belief spectrum surrounding the idea that learning your political beliefs from your parents is wrong. The underlying tone of these comments, that I have perceived, is often that one who has the same or similar beliefs as their families or loved ones is uneducated on political matters. I have also perceived these comments as insinuating that their beliefs are the same as their parents because they were indoctrinated in them from a young age. Yes, I have witnessed someone claim that another was indoctrinated in their political views simply because said views aligned with those of their parents.

So, when did it become such a negative anomaly for young people to have similar beliefs as their parents? Why wouldn’t our political views align with those of our families? For most people, we live most of our young lives in very close proximity to our loved ones, so it would be absurd to think that the presence of our parents, brothers, sisters, etc. wouldn’t influence our minds.

Regardless of whether or not we agree with someone else’s political views and stances, everyone deserves respect and a chance to speak their mind. Politics is one of those topics that has the potential to fall flat without the possibility of open and productive conversation. Conversation between people with opposing views is the roadway to expanding the minds of others, and without this roadway we are unable to learn from each other.

Learning from other people, no matter what the topic or the relationship to the people you are learning from, is part of what makes us human. Humans are innately social creatures. Civil discussion and the sharing of ideas is what separates us from animals and what allows our populations to collaborate and thrive. So, why is branching our own beliefs off of those of our loved ones such a bad thing?

Learning is a process, so as long as we are taking the information we receive from those around us and furthering our knowledge through some semblance of our own research and curiosity, then whoever influences our initial views should be irrelevant to others. The only aspect of another person’s political views that we should be concerned with, as individuals, is whether or not other people are willing to have a conversation with someone that has beliefs variant of their own. So long as people are willing to have productive conversations that promote the sharing of knowledge with others, the root of our beliefs should not interfere with our respect for other human beings.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57046
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36784
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958546
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

190033
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments