How much influence do (or did) your parents have on your political views?

Question

How much influence do (or did) your parents have on your political views?

Answer 1

None.

Answer 2

My whole fam is like aalll republican mainly, but im not so much. Haha I find it more as "old fashioned".

Answer 3

None, I seem to have completly different views then they do.  

Answer 4

none.  

Answer 5

i'm 16 yrs.. well, they did before. but now i'm just a floater

Answer 6

None at all. I try not to even discuss politics with them.

Vote Barack Obama!!!!

Answer 7

Gee I hope so.  I grew up Democratic on the Sout'west side of Chicago

Answer 8

Well I live in the UK, my parents both support different parties to the one I support.  They never forced there views on to me and were quite surprised when I told them what party I voted for, they didnt mind though.  My parents are cool lol

Answer 9

My parents had a fair amount of influence over my political views.  They are republicans and I am more of a democrat.  Their views have helped me get a good grasp of both sides and I've kind of changed their views so that now they're voting democratic.  I think we've learned a lot from each other and I'm grateful that they taught me to be an independent thinker.  

Answer 10

A fair amount.

My family (back several generations) is staunchly Republican and/or defiantly libertarian, but they always urged critical and independent thinking.  It would seem that I joined the defiantly libertarian "wing" of the family.

Both of my parents were more conservative than I was, but that served more as a platform for interesting discussions than for arguments or  hurt feelings.

No one felt it was their right or duty to impress their views but discussion and debate was encouraged.  As a result, I think I was left with a great deal of respect for my parents and their views on the greater world.

Answer 11

none what so ever.

my mother made sure that i didn't just follow in her footsteps and do everything as she has done, what would i be learning from that? she also taught me never to just stick with one party, because even if your republican, the man heading the election might not be the best choice...so be smart about it.

I think its wrong for parents to push topics on kids at such a young age when they might not be ready for the responsibility of that chocie.

Answer 12

alot

they're right winged republicans who love christ (but dont go to church)

and im pretty much the opposite.

except that i like some republican views and hate some democratic views.

like free healthcare.

great in theory but it will bring nothing but trouble.

how would you feel having to wait 7 months to fix your leg or something?

yea im a rich spoiled brat who cares only about himself.

....sue me

Answer 13

good question. a lot actually.  i grew up in a democratic household and i knew very early what that meant.  as i have grown up and become more liberal i feel as though my parents set me out on the right foot. i'm glad to share their political views.

Answer 14

I am a registered democrat, as are my parents.  my dad voted straight democratic since nixon.

Answer 15

None.

My mom changed her political views to suite her boyfriend whom she lives w/.

Answer 16

None, my parents hate politics.

I love politics.

Its a topic that I have much passion for.

Answer 17

Some.   They were raging bigoted, hate-filled Republicans.  I vowed never to be like them.

But I use my own brain to make my own choices.

Answer 18

We usually have differing viewpoints, but my parents always espoused independent thinking and did not try to make us follow their lead. It makes for some lively conversation. Both my parents are registered Democrats. My brother and I are registered Republicans. None of us, however, blindly vote straight party tickets. My parents voted for Reagan and Bush 41. I voted for Clinton (2nd term).

It's funny that our political leanings are pretty much the opposite of what one would expect. As fairly wealthy people from similar backgrounds, and my father being a business owner, one would think they would be the conservatives. Conversely, as a g*y man, one would think I would be the more liberal. However, my father likes to say that my views are somewhere to the right of Genghis Khan, while I chide them for being mink coat Communists. Like I said, it makes for lively, but always respectful, conversations.  

Answer 19

None, as far as politics, my parents and I are complete opposites.

Answer 20

Not a lot.

I'm way more liberal than them when it comes to most issues.

They always allowed me to think for myself and form my own opinions.

Answer 21

a little.  my mother is a die-hard republican but my father will vote either way.

Answer 22

I think my parents have had considerable influence on how I view life in general. They raised their three children to be self sufficient. We were taught that hard work and financial responsibility were extremely important. My parents were and still are a part of the working middle class, there were plenty of times as a child that I know my parents did without some things and there were plenty of times when my Mother had to find a way to stretch the food budget for the week or month, but she did it and we children were never even aware of the struggle. Our parents did not sit around and talk about what America owed them. My parents are registered Democrats but they have always voted for the candidate that they had the most faith in. We were raised to be Patriotic and to love our country despite it's political short comings.

L

Answer 23

Quire a bit, but that's because I look at their political views and try to make sure I address what I believe to be flaws in their thinking.

Essentially we are opposites, but I think it is because they were very much tried and true 1-issue republicans, and nothing else mattered, so i grew up to distance myself as far from that way of thinking as possible.

Answer 24

None.

Actually, my views on politics, believe it or not, came from my religious views.

I firmly believe, and my religion teaches, that all people are equal. All people are entitled the right to do as they see fit in this life. No one has the right to oppress anyone else. My religion teaches tolerance and acceptance for all life.

So, I'm very much a social liberal.

Economically, I tend to be more conservative. Life has taught me that one.

Answer 25

Actually, probably a *lot* by influencing me about what NOT to believe in.

My parents are conservative Republicans.  I'm a member of the Democratic Socialist Party (which is a completely separate party from the Democratic Party).

My paternal grandmother was also a socialist, and she educated me as to what the problems were in a purely capitalistic society which has no regard for the poor, the elderly, the chronically or terminally ill, pregnant women, young children, poorly-paid workers, etc.

My parents believed that the rich get richer.  My grandmother believed that the rich get richer -- usually at the expense of the poor and the middle class, and that's what I believe.

Answer 26

More like my grandparents actually. They were very active with the Democratic party and my grandfather was a State Rep, so from an early age I was exposed to all of it.

Answer 27

Zero. My parents were not really into politics, they were the type of people who's political awareness was limited to criticizing and being skeptical of everything that politicians said. However I did develop strong, clear and liberal political views

Answer 28

My parents political views conflict with my sexual orientation because their political views are heavily influenced by religion. I respect my parents views because I believe we should all have the freedom to think differently I just wish their political views allowed me to live differently. So, I guess their views did not shape mine much.  

Answer 29

a lot.

I was raised by open minded parents.

Answer 30

Almost entirely. But I have become the opposite of them.

My parents are a Muslim extremist, and since I have been thought that way as well, I know for sure that their political view is wrong. That's why they are very influential in making men an independent voter, because my parent's are just so wrong!