Typically, there are various factors that that shape or influence one's political perceptions starting from childhood to adulthood. Each of these factors usually correlates to certain political party's ideologies as well as values. However, the significance of each factor is subjected to change throughout one's lifetime. Therefore, this work seeks to explore three factors that influence our political socialization, and they include family, media, and religion.
To begin with, our families have the biggest impact on our political and party preferences as we grow up. For instance, even before children attain the legal age to vote, they tend to be identified as democrats or republicans depending on their parent's political affiliation (Natalie 2017). Many parents act as a source of political information for their children. Through this, they can influence their political career as well as the political party. Likewise, findings from the Journal of politics observed that parents who engage more in politics and are consistent on political matters have the power to influence their children's political identity. However, according to research conducted by political psychology, it concluded that that parental influence is not a permanent thing as the child's political ambitions may change through the influence of other factors such as local learning or spouse believes. In this similar case, my parent's political choice has indeed contributed entirely to my choice of a political party to support.
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Additionally, the general new media, especially social media, has proved to be an important source of political influence and news globally. In line with Gidengil, Wass & Valaste, (2016) , observed that there is a shift in the way people, in particular youths get news ( Gidengil, Wass & Valaste, 2016) . Most of them access information on their own and social media accounts for most of the part, which is estimated to be around 90% (Veronike, 2015). Consequently, Facebook is the social media platform that holds a vast majority of the youths while others have different ways of access to the web through which they able to obtain information. This huge number of youths on social media platforms can be accredited to the fact that they can share and discuss issues that affect them. Moreover, they can access information easily online compared to physical papers that contain numerous information contained in one package. For sure social media has shaped my political development since it provides an easy platform where I can interact with my friends, including other people, and share my political opinions without strain and get feedback instantly.
Practically, when people associate politics and religion, most of them tend to think of social problems such as gay marriage and abortion. However, religion can determine the decision of an individual in which political party to support for the good of all. From a political perspective, religion can influence greatly which political party a person can vote or campaign for ( Gidengil, Wass & Valaste, 2016) . For an instant, a staunch Jews voter would prefer to vote or camping for a fellow Jew due to their religious beliefs. He or she may feel the person may have their interest at heart since they are connected to the same religious view. However, this does not mean that religion has a clear connection to one's political belief, as it varies with individuals. Sometimes it may lead to more political involvement while at other times, it may not. Personally, my religion has no interference on the choice of the political party I tend to support or choose from, as I view religion as a personal belief though it counts on my political carrier since there are ethical issues that I would need to address on religious grounds.
References
Gidengil, E., Wass, H., & Valaste, M. (2016). Political socialization and voting: The parent–child link in turnout. Political Research Quarterly , 69 (2), 373-383.
Natalie Jacewicz (2017). What Shapes Your Political Beliefs at 18, 35, and 50. Retrieved from https://www.thecut.com/2017/04/what-shapes-your-political-beliefs-at-18-35-and-50.html
Veronike Collazo (2015). Peers, social media play increasingly large role in youth political socialization. Retrieved from https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/peers-social-media-play-increasingly-large-role-in-youth-political/article_ff969934-7ea9-11e5-8bf4-fb73f63c5057.html
