This diary is more of a question than a statement. We hear fairly often about people whose parents or other relatives are Republicans. I am curious to hear how ones political views end up differing so much from those of the people who raised you?
As someone who comes from a liberal family, I am curious how it was for people growing up in Republican families, and how and when they managed to break away from conservative thinking?
Obviously political beliefs don't just come from what your parents tell you, but also from your life experiences. I attribute a great deal of my own personal beliefs to my experiences and what I have learned of the world. At the same time, these experiences have only reinforced what my political beliefs were all along.
Since all of my family members more or less agree on political matters it is hard for me to think how it would be if we did not (we probably would have a difficult time getting along). It seems like it would be extremely awkward to be a liberal in an otherwise Republican household, especially before one is an adult. Is it that other families are less political and don't speak much of politics?
I would be very interested in hearing some of your experiences on this matter. Is it even possible to turn against your parents' beliefs before leaving home. Does it happen in college? Does it happen due to life experiences? Does it happen based on who your friends are? Does it come from your school teachers? Did the media/popular culture (ex: greater acceptance of things such as homosexuality) help turn you toward liberal views? Or are liberal beliefs just those you have held all along?
Also, have your liberal views impacted your parents' views at all, or have they just refused to listen?