Lafayette Journal & Courier

Politics at the dinner table -- family influences your political choices

January 9, 2007

Ed and Ruby Armstrong have been happily married for 20 years -- even though their political beliefs are from opposite sides of the aisle.

Each Armstrong grew up in a Democratic household. But while Ruby stuck with the Democratic party, Ed switched to become a Republican fairly early in his adult life.

"We've talked about the presidential elections, who we like and who we don't like and who we think has more of a chance," Ed Armstrong said. "But when it comes down to it, she goes her way and I go mine."

Armstrong said he doesn't try to change his wife's mind. "I learned a long time ago you don't do that -- on anything," he said.

As the presidential primary season gets into full-swing, most people are choosing sides. And political science professors say most people are influenced by their family in choosing which party to support.

"Children tend to learn their political values from their parents.," said William Shaffer, a political science professor at Purdue University. "Most children do internalize the advice of their parents."

People are less-influenced by their spouse simply because many tend to marry people with the same political beliefs.

"There's a tendency for like-minded people to settle down together," said James McCann, also a political science professor at Purdue. "They say that after you live together for 20 years, you even start looking alike."

Still, as evidenced by the Armstrongs, some Republicans and Democrats do marry. But how do they co-exist?

"If you talk to any married folks, you'll find there are all kinds of points on which you'll disagree," McCann said. "(They've) figured out productive ways to solve conflicts. Agreeing to disagree."

Alma Wilks of Lafayette believes most children are influenced by their parents' political views. But she also thinks some will change their minds in their 20s or 30s, once they've experienced more of life themselves.

"It depends on who you are, how your life is shaped," Wilks said. "It can go in terms of sex, race, religious beliefs, even education and your health status."

Heidi Kauffman of West Lafayette said she votes Democrat "because there's nothing further left." Her political leaning is based on the values her parents instilled in her growing up.

Kauffman feels very strongly about her political values and now she's working to instill those same beliefs in her two children.

Other parents take more of a hands-off approach. Bret Habbinga of Lafayette recently turned 18 and said he's trying to figure out how he'll vote.

"I've talked to people in different parties and I agree with both sides at times," he said. "(My parents) have told me they don't care how I vote. I agree with them on most of what they believe in. ... But I'm still sorting it all out."