Political Socialization In My Life

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Political Socialization In My Life By T. Scott Dowlearn II American Government, National, State, Local I Houston Community College October 27, 2011 Growing up there was one topic that you did not discuss with my grandfather, politics. I distinctly remember shouting matches over had Ross Perot not ran in 1992 George H.W. Bush would’ve been reelected. Mind you I was eight years old at this time. In this essay I will discuss primarily how political socialization has impacted me as well as observations that I have made when it comes to political socialization. Political socialization is defined as the teaching and learning of political knowledge, beliefs, and values. Although I had yet to perfect cursive handwriting, I was encouraged to show my civic support by campaigning for different lower level state officials. By the age of ten I was a member of the Young Republicans of America, giving speeches at fundraisers, and being a poster boy for the Harris County Republican Party. I have volunteered and worked for Dr. Rod Paige, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Congressman Tom Delay and Governor George W. Bush to name a few. It wasn’t until I was in High School that I not only realized that I did not belong in the Republican Party but I had fundamental difference in political philosophies. However I remained because we were a “Proud Republican” family. While working on President Bush’s 2001 campaign I realized that me doing so was detrimental to my well being. I began to watch more and more news and always had a newspaper in my hand. I learned that my family had in a sense, “brainwashed” me into the Republican Party. This was a coming of age time for me. In late 2001 I was “outed” by a trusted fellow Young Republican after discovering I was gay. This was a very difficult time for me. I had heard the utter hate that the Republican Party with my help spewed to

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