American Politics

Patrick Kern

Professor Goergen

Portfolio Assignment #2

Growing up in DuPage County, I would say that my family leaned more towards the strict father model as opposed to the nurturing parent, but there was a little of both. As a kid, we were required to go to school and church and learn all of the things we needed to in school. My mother worked at my school through my 8^th grade year as a "lunch supervisor" and cafeteria worker. She had much more influence over me than my father on a daily basis. My father who worked overnights as a mechanic for United Airlines was not around as much therefore; my path would only cross my fathers a few times a week, whereas I would see my mother every single day.

When my father was around, the atmosphere was much more strict and serious, especially at the dinner table. My brothers and I would test his patience from time to time but when he put his foot down we all fell into line. There were even times someone innocently would spill a glass of milk or something, and my dad would get very upset. We learned not to really mess with him, but as we got older he became less rigid and serious. When my dad would leave the house however, it was like a free for all. My mother still had demands and rules, and could be very intimidating herself, but me and my brothers ran free when my father left the house.

My parents were never very politically outgoing in the community, but I do believe they have strong opinions on the subject. They were both born in the 1940's and came of age during the 1960's. They witnessed firsthand the civil rights movement and the assassinations of the Kennedy's as well as Martin Luther King Jr. I think this was the time period that really molded my parent's political views. They seemed to always monitor politics, but always had deep reservations to getting involved with them. I think many of that generation felt the same, witnessing what happened during the 1960's. My mother, in particular, always spoke of Kennedy fondly and often told the story of the day that he was assassinated. She told how she remembered her teacher crying and other details. It seems to have affected her greatly.

I also remember that as a child my mother seemed to have a fascination for all of the past presidents of the United States. I remember learning about the presidents as a child more than anything else politically speaking. Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Lincoln were glorified, and everyone else kind of just fell in. I think for the most part my mother definitely nurtured certain political views in to me, mainly the ones focusing on moral and civil issues.

My dad always and still does seem to have a pretty negative outlook on politics, and often generalized them all as crooks, even though he did so in a joking way. Many times he has recently said, "We should just kick them all out." He still has always voted though, even though he always maintained a very sarcastic outlook on politics. He never really pushed politics on me; it was my mom who always seemed to enjoy more political discussions and debates. My father always seemed more concerned with religion, and made sure we went to religious education as children. It is sad thinking about it now, to see some of the institutions that my father believed in take very drastic falls, mainly the church and the airline industry. In the end, I would say it really was pretty balanced between the strict father model and the nurturing parent model.