Heimlich's History: Generational and Life Cycle Effects on Political Beliefs

Overview

Focus on AP Government curriculum Unit 4.
Discusses how political beliefs change due to generational and life cycle effects.

Political Socialization: The process through which individuals acquire political opinions.
Influencing factors previously discussed:
- Families
- Schools
- Peers
- Media
- Civic and Religious Organizations
- Globalization

Definition: Generational effects suggest that one's voting behavior and political ideology are influenced by the generation they are born into.
Major Generations Analyzed:
- Silent Generation (Born before 1945)
  - Experienced the Great Depression, WWII.
  - Conservative; high value on religious beliefs and traditional gender roles.
  - Supported American intervention during the Cold War.
  - Generally oppose cultural changes from the 1960s.
- Baby Boomers (Born post-WWII to mid-60s)
  - Slightly more liberal than the Silent Generation.
  - Experienced prosperity and cultural changes of the 60s.
- Generation X (Born mid-60s to 1980s)
  - Grew up with the internet and diverse ethnic backgrounds.
  - More liberal than Baby Boomers.
- Millennials (Born 1981 to 1996)
  - Most ethnically diverse; about 40% are non-white.
  - Lean towards liberal policies, favoring racial equality and immigrant rights.
  - Support more government intervention and socialist policies.

Older generations tend to be more conservative.
Successive generations have become progressively more liberal.
Example: Approval ratings for Donald Trump decrease from Silent Generation to Millennials.

Definition: How different life stages impact political beliefs and behavior.
Examples:
- Young adults may prioritize policies like free college tuition.
- Older adults may prioritize policies that affect taxes and family benefits.
Political beliefs can change as individuals progress through different life stages.

Generational membership and life stages both contribute to political socialization.
Understanding these factors can explain shifts in political beliefs over time.

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