Busting Myth, People Turn More Liberal with Age

[snopes]

The stereotype of a cranky old man, set in his ways, getting more conservative by the day, is an enduring one. But new research has debunked the myth that people become more conservative as they age.

By comparing surveys of various age groups taken over a span of more than 30 years, sociologists found that in general, Americans' opinions veer toward the liberal as they grow older.

http://www.livescience.com/health/08...l-seniors.html

[MidgardDragon]

My completely uneducated hypothesis based on just anecdotal evidence that I've witnessed is that younger people that start out liberal during their time spent trying to break into a stable life and stable working condition slowly grow more conservative once they "settle in" and become a part of the society that gave them so much trouble in the first place. Followed by a decline in conservatism and return to a more liberal viewpoint once they are no longer part of the "system" and are once again on the cusps of society.

[Tarquin Farquart]

Originally Posted by MidgardDragon

My completely uneducated hypothesis based on just anecdotal evidence that I've witnessed is that younger people that start out liberal during their time spent trying to break into a stable life and stable working condition slowly grow more conservative once they "settle in" and become a part of the society that gave them so much trouble in the first place. Followed by a decline in conservatism and return to a more liberal viewpoint once they are no longer part of the "system" and are once again on the cusps of society.

Also older people may return to the protesting of their youth except this time they want things to remain the same rather than change.

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by MidgardDragon

My completely uneducated hypothesis based on just anecdotal evidence that I've witnessed is that younger people that start out liberal during their time spent trying to break into a stable life and stable working condition slowly grow more conservative once they "settle in" and become a part of the society that gave them so much trouble in the first place. Followed by a decline in conservatism and return to a more liberal viewpoint once they are no longer part of the "system" and are once again on the cusps of society.

Also, it seems to me that both young people and old people are more likely to use government services, at least in the US. Younger people make use of federal student aid, various job programs, Peace Corps, and so on, and those who don't personally use these programs probably have friends who do. Older people start getting their SSI payments and using Medicare maybe live in a subsidized nursing home or use some sort of subsidized transportation service. If they don't personally use those programs some of their friends probably do.

Obviously, everyone uses (directly or indirectly) government services like roads and police and whatnot, but the services used by twenty-somethings and eighty-somethings are more personal (direct payments between the government and an individual). It seems to me that the connection between more general services, politics, and individual voters is less obvious. Unless you're in Minnesota, where roads have become the new political litmus test. Who cares about abortion or the war: what's your opinion on potholes?

[AnglRdr]

Originally Posted by Natalie

Also, it seems to me that both young people and old people are more likely to use government services, at least in the US. Younger people make use of federal student aid, various job programs, Peace Corps, and so on, and those who don't personally use these programs probably have friends who do. Older people start getting their SSI payments and using Medicare maybe live in a subsidized nursing home or use some sort of subsidized transportation service. If they don't personally use those programs some of their friends probably do.

Obviously, everyone uses (directly or indirectly) government services like roads and police and whatnot, but the services used by twenty-somethings and eighty-somethings are more personal (direct payments between the government and an individual). It seems to me that the connection between more general services, politics, and individual voters is less obvious. Unless you're in Minnesota, where roads have become the new political litmus test. Who cares about abortion or the war: what's your opinion on potholes?

So your opinion is that the more government entitlements one uses, the more likely one is to be liberal? I am not sure that is what you're saying, so I am trying to clarify.

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by AnglRdr

So your opinion is that the more government entitlements one uses, the more likely one is to be liberal? I am not sure that is what you're saying, so I am trying to clarify.

At least fiscally liberal. I'm not sure exactly what would make someone more socially liberal, and I imagine it's a multitude of factors. But at least in my experience, those who are more fiscally conservative oppose the use of government funds for various social programs, and tend to not use those social programs. Obviously that's just people I know and doesn't necessarily hold true for everyone.

[AnglRdr]

Originally Posted by Natalie

At least fiscally liberal. I'm not sure exactly what would make someone more socially liberal, and I imagine it's a multitude of factors. But at least in my experience, those who are more fiscally conservative oppose the use of government funds for various social programs, and tend to not use those social programs. Obviously that's just people I know and doesn't necessarily hold true for everyone.

I haven't noticed such as a rule, at least anecdotally. I have heard some people receiving entitlements that they should absolutely receive them because they worked hard all these years and contributed to the system, but [insert whatever group here] shouldn't because they haven't.

That certainly hasn't been the rule, though.

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by AnglRdr

I haven't noticed such as a rule, at least anecdotally. I have heard some people receiving entitlements that they should absolutely receive them because they worked hard all these years and contributed to the system, but [insert whatever group here] shouldn't because they haven't.

That certainly hasn't been the rule, though.

I think there's a word missing here: "I have heard some people receiving entitlements [say] that they should". Am I interpreting that right?

[AnglRdr]

Yes, you have.

[Jahungo]

Does anyone actually think that individuals actually get more conservative with age? I would have thought it obvious that it's just that society has generally gotten more liberal as time goes on, so older people, born and raised in a more conservative time, tend to be more conservative. It's not that they got more conservative, it's just that they came from a more conservative time and now are relatively conservative compared to young people.

[Lainie]

I've noticed in my own experience, and that of my friends and family, that as we get older, we often become less judgmental and more likely to recognize complexities and gray areas. That sometimes leads us to become more socially liberal.

[snopes]

Originally Posted by Lainie

I've noticed in my own experience, and that of my friends and family, that as we get older, we often become less judgmental and more likely to recognize complexities and gray areas. That sometimes leads us to become more socially liberal.

Yes, I think so. Perhaps a better way of phrasing it would be that people become less "radical" as they age (but "less radical" doesn't necessarily equate to either "more liberal" or "more conservative" -- it's different for different people).

The young and inexperienced often tend to view the world in black and white terms, to question why things are the way they are, and to be frustrated about resistance to change. With age and experience, one generally learns that the world is many shades of gray, that what's good for some people isn't necessarily good for others, that things are the way they are for many different reasons, and that we all get along through the making of an endless series of (unsatisfying) compromises.

- snopes

Originally Posted by Jahungo

Does anyone actually think that individuals actually get more conservative with age? I would have thought it obvious that it's just that society has generally gotten more liberal as time goes on, so older people, born and raised in a more conservative time, tend to be more conservative. It's not that they got more conservative, it's just that they came from a more conservative time and now are relatively conservative compared to young people.

This was my first thought as well.

[ChrisQ]

A friend of mine speculated that the only young Republicans in this day and age were indoctrinated by their parents. I'm inclined to believe that, but then again, I'm fairly Liberal.

[Jahungo]

Originally Posted by ChrisQ

A friend of mine speculated that the only young Republicans in this day and age were indoctrinated by their parents. I'm inclined to believe that, but then again, I'm fairly Liberal.

I'd be inclined to agree with that, if you expand it to include influences other than the family, like friends, teachers and such. And expand "Republicans" to "everybody."

Originally Posted by Lainie

I've noticed in my own experience, and that of my friends and family, that as we get older, we often become less judgmental and more likely to recognize complexities and gray areas. That sometimes leads us to become more socially liberal.

Isn't it a bit of labeling? Most people I know consider conservatives as gay hating, rich bastards- something that you wouldn't associate yourself with on a bad day. Some claim to be liberal but are more libertarian. I hate to play the Bernard Goldberg card but a lot of it has to do with the wording we are bombarded with every day.

When the wording is in play (pro-life becomes anti-woman for example) it's pretty easy to "choose sides". Most of the non liberals I know don't consider gay rights to be an issue but I constantly hear it as a liberal only point of view. Kind of how Senator Byrd can be an ex-KKK member yet somehow be elected .

[Lainie]

Originally Posted by snopes

The young and inexperienced often tend to view the world in black and white terms, to question why things are the way they are, and to be frustrated about resistance to change. With age and experience, one generally learns that the world is many shades of gray, that what's good for some people isn't necessarily good for others, that things are the way they are for many different reasons, and that we all get along through the making of an endless series of (unsatisfying) compromises.

Yes, that's what I was getting at.

Originally Posted by cageboy

Isn't it a bit of labeling?

No. I'm talking about an actual change in people's attitudes as they get older and experience more of life. They may not change what they call themselves: it's about how they think and feel. It's not limited to social or political issues on a grand scale, either. It's also evident in their reaction to events in their own families and communities.

[Natalie]

Originally Posted by cageboy

Kind of how Senator Byrd can be an ex-KKK member yet somehow be elected .

He certainly wasn't the first former, or even current, Klan member to be elected to office. And to give the man credit, he did admit this and express regret for it. I have no idea how sincere his regret actually is, but it sure beats trying to cover up his past involvement or trying to justify it somehow.

[RichardM]

Every one "knows" a conservative is simply and older wiser liberal. That is the statement that should be in the OP.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Natalie

He certainly wasn't the first former, or even current, Klan member to be elected to office. And to give the man credit, he did admit this and express regret for it. I have no idea how sincere his regret actually is, but it sure beats trying to cover up his past involvement or trying to justify it somehow.

He did try to justify it. He claimed he joined because the group was opposed to communism. And for all of his apologizing, in his memoirs he never bothered to mention his notorious letter to Bilbo in which he opposed integrating the military.