Is it true we get more right-wing as we get older?

Answer 1

Infinity,
There is an old saying, "A conservative, is a liberal, who just got mugged", and it is somewhat true. When we are young, we tend to think in the most simplistic terms, in solving problems. We just can't understand why adults have to make everything so complicated and difficult. Then, the kids come along, and there's taxes, and bills. These things will, over time, make you a little less of a risk taker, because now, you have something to lose. Personally, I have seen the pendulum swing from one end to the other. I remember being a young "Hippy" (yes, I am old). I got all the way over to the conservative, right wing way of looking at things, as life worked me over. Now, I am retired, and no longer slugging it out in the arena of life everyday. I am surprised to find, that I don't like conservatives as much as I once did. Their solutions to problems tend to be a little too objective, and impersonal. Don't get me wrong, some of the liberals out there need to put the crack pipe down, and start getting real. The truth is, that there is a place in the middle, where we all need to be. There will be situations, which call for a conservative approach. Other times, we need to be liberal in finding an answer to the question. I think it is time we stopped labeling ourselves, and started cooperating together as one people. Whether most folks are going to be mentally flexible enough to do this, is anybodie's guess. In my experience, they are not. That goes for liberals, as well as conservatives.

Answer 2

I really don't think so. I'm "older" (45) and I think I've become more liberal, because I understand a heck of a lot more about how the world works today than I did 20 years ago. I no longer hold people to the highest standard, but recognize the flaws in humans (including myself) and sometimes you have to let mercy, for lack of a better term, come before moral or legal principles/ideas.

Answer 3

No, it isn't.
We do go through different stages in life, but our underlying attitudes rarely change. We also get more reliant on habit perhaps, more fixed in our ways. We may become less tolerant of change or innovation. The teenage years are for breaking away from your parents, your twenties are for experimenting. By your thirties you have a pretty clear idea of who you are and maybe think about settling. (I'm generalising here).
But there is no genetic tendancy to become more right wing as we age.

Answer 4

I was more right wing when i was younger mainly because my parents were now im older and have a mind of my own im more left wing!

Answer 5

I think it's more that old views are considered conservative views, perhaps the world gets more left wing and we just stay where we are?

Answer 6

Values tend to become more conservative with age. The reality of life dictates a different viewpoint on many issues. All of my liberal college friends are now much less liberal.

Answer 7

Yes it seams so and we start to talk about biscuits. we watch soap operas we walk really slowly in front of somene that is in a hurry in the street. and when really old and wrinkley we coo at babies and make them cry then ask their mum are they tired and mum smiles politely and says yes.

Answer 8

In my case no & look at ken livingston Tony Benn the list is endless.

Answer 9

Absolutely not!!! - If one has a particular strong political belief then that belief should stay with you throughout your adult life - Tony Benn hasn't for instance changed his political beliefs.

Answer 10

I really hope not but I've seen it happen to my dad though..... I think it's grumpy old man syndrome, and becoming more disillusioned with the world.