Family Communication and Political Identities: A Negative Case Analysis of Parental Partisan Socialization

Abstract

This chapter argues for a new line of political communication research within the family focusing on political differences between marital partners. Partisan and ideological separation of spouses can cause tension and argumentation in the household and this influences the socialization of the child. Through negative case analysis, this chapter explores three cases where parents were of differing political parties and, in their own words, participants reflect on the conditions of familial communication in the household and their personal attachments to American political parties.