Home and school environments as socializing agents of political cynicism

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the home and school environments and their effect on the political cynicism of the 241 SHS students in the Division of Capiz. This study argues that the home and the school environment are two important actors in the political socialization process which could explain the political cynicism of the student. Questionnaires were used to gather data that were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's r. Moderately influential home and school environments were experienced by the students who were politically cynical. Pearson's r showed very little to no significant relationship between home and school environments and political cynicism, thus negating the theory of primary political socialization. The Social Cognitive theory postulates that early socialization introduces the child to the political norms of the society and adheres to the fact that the political socialization experienced by the child is age-specific, and there would come a time when the child would discern appropriate values he deemed valuable but differed from the family orientation to which he was. Further studies exploring other influential agents such as mass media and peer group were likewise discussed.