Political Socialization Autobiography
This political autobiography is intended to make you more aware of the influences in your background that have contributed to your political views. In an essay of three typed pages, write a political socialization autobiography describing and analyzing your political socialization. Your essay should include the following information:
- What is the first political event that you can remember? Describe it in as much detail as possible. How did your parents feel about the event?
- What is/was the party identification of your parents?
- Were your parents ever politically active? Explain.
- Did you ever discuss politics or public policy with your parents? Explain.
- What other people do you remember who influenced your values, beliefs, and opinions about politics? Explain.
- What other events can you remember that influenced your values, beliefs, and opinions about politics? Explain.
- From what sources do you currently get your information about politics? Internet sources? Local TV news? National TV news? Newspapers? News weeklies? Journals of opinion? Peers? Other sources? Explain.
- What are your present feelings about politics and political issues? Party identification? Ideology?
Do not feel restricted to these questions. Explore your background as completely as you can remember. You may have been exposed to more issues than those that initially come to mind. Be specific in what you write and give examples to illustrate your points. Try to avoid clichés and stock expressions. They are more likely to stand in the way of self-understanding than to promote it. Do not turn in a paper with typographical errors, misspelled words, incomplete sentences, or disorganized paragraphs. Take some care in writing your paper