Are Political Views Genetic?
Dear Dr. Hurd,
I am a lesbian and a Republican. Actually, I consider myself Independent more than a Republican. But I’m certainly not a liberal, at least not on fiscal or defense issues. I read an article in a recent issue of Letters about a study that suggests our genetic makeup determines our political views. What are your thoughts on this?
Dr. Hurd replies,
I’m familiar with the study. In The Journal of Politics researchers asserted that there’s a genetic link which leads some people to become liberals and others to become conservatives. As proof, they point out that those who have active social lives in their teenage years tend to become liberals, while people who don’t, tend to become conservatives. This is a gross oversimplification of how human beings operate. If adolescent experiences shape everything (or if genes determine one’s political proclivities), then how do they explain the fact that many people change their political positions as they get older?
Political attitudes stem from ideas and beliefs shaped by our underlying assumptions about subjects like ethics, our personal experiences, and how we interpret those experiences. Genetics and biology may have something to do with the fact that people have different temperaments, but it’s also obvious that plenty of people across the political spectrum have all kinds of personalities. And there are other points-of-view besides the cut-and-dried “liberal” and “conservative” proclivities touted by MSNBC or Fox News. Simple genetics does not explain these variations.
People who are gay/lesbian (and liberal) sometimes say, “How can someone be gay/lesbian and not be liberal? That would be like being black and supporting slavery.” The question assumes that equal rights for LGBT people are the only issue in politics. As important as those rights are, there are many people of all colors and sexual tastes who are neither liberal nor socially conservative. There are libertarians, fiscal and defense conservatives who might be socially liberal; there are senators who voted for repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” but who oppose socialized medicine or higher taxes; there are “Blue Dog” Democrats, “Log Cabin” Republicans…the list goes on and on.
Beware of people—liberals and conservatives—who shape conjecture drawn from limited “studies” in an attempt to validate their own partisan inclinations. Political views are an expression of core philosophical and intellectual viewpoints. Genetics doesn’t create those viewpoints; individual thinking minds do.
Dear Dr. Hurd,
After much planning and expense, my partner and I finally made Rehoboth Beach our home. For some reason, he now feels like we have to play “bed and breakfast” to any and all of our friends and family. I tried to explain that this is our home and not some part-time beach house, but he gets mad and tells me not to be “selfish.” I’m tired of cleaning up after people who feel entitled to free room and board just because we happen to live at the beach.
Dr. Hurd replies,
We do things for self-interested reasons. Some of us love to be hosts, and others don’t. If your partner gets personal gratification out of being a host, then he’s doing it for self-interested reasons. And that’s perfectly OK. The problem is that he feels one way, and you feel another. Try to understand that he derives pleasure from having guests (assuming he does), but at the same time ask him to consider the attitudes of certain guests. Which ones show more appreciation and which ones show less? And who is (or isn’t) “entitled” to your hospitality?
I’m not talking about reciprocation (i.e., paying you back) as much as appreciation. People who genuinely appreciate their free stay at a popular, expensive resort acknowledge that fact by saying thank you, maybe taking you out to dinner, and by indicating that they know you’re not obliged to do this. Not all guests act or think this way. I’ve heard terrible stories: “I don’t hear from so-and-so all year long, but you can sure predict a phone call when summertime rolls around.” Human behavior is not always pretty. Some people are thoughtful and others are not. A lot of us are afraid to make those distinctions because it seems “mean.” Ridiculous. In fact, it’s mean to the people who are nice and considerate to refuse to make those distinctions.
There’s a rule applied to marriages and relationships: If one person has a problem, then there’s a problem. If your partner won’t discuss it and expects you to accept the status quo, then he’s in the wrong. He’s obligated to compromise and talk with you. If you’re coming across as hostile or defensive, then try to change that. You sound convinced that some guests act in rude ways. Identify them and their obnoxious behaviors and ask your partner how he feels about it. Ask him if it wouldn’t be fair to you both to set some boundaries and limits. If you’re a victim of ungrateful or “entitled” guests, then so is he.
Michael J. Hurd, Ph.D. is a psychotherapist, life coach and author. His office can be reached at 302-227-2829. Email your questions or comments to DrHurd@DrHurd.com.