Is it all right if my political views change rapidly?

Question

I am 17 years old and my views seem to change all the time in different political events. I'm pro-choice, and the next I'm pro-life. I disagree with gay marriage, and then I agree. Is it the unclear lines of political parties at fault or is it my own ignorance? I also seem to be in between both parties most of the time. It's not like I don't care about current events, I'm very involved in what I believe with. I just can't seem to find my niche in the government and it's driving me insane!

Answer 1

That depends. Does your opinion change based on new information, or does it change based on emotional reactions to events?

In general, I believe that one's opinion should be open to constant change. We are exposed to new information all the time, and to fossilise yourself with a statement like 'This is what I believe, and that will never change", is shortsighted and potentially dangerous. Incedentally, I believe this not just about politics, but on everything from religion to science, to my favourite colour.

As for not finding your niche in government: To try and fit, assuming you're in the USA, 250 million people into two neat little groups of Democrat/Republican is madness and shows exactly where representative democratic systems have a major flaw. Every person has his own point of view, and should be able to exercise that point of view directly in government. Consequently, it's much more important that you get directly involved in government through civil action, protests, attending counsel meetings etc, than if you wear a red or blue badge. You might want to read up on the many forms of Anarchism as an alternative.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anarchism
http://www.anarchism.net/
http://geocities.com/CapitolHill/1931/

Answer 2

If you are changing your opinion each time you see a debate or something of that sort maybe you haven't really formed your OWN opinion yet. The politics are more or less telling you what to believe in. You should take some time and actually look into each of the issues and research them. Then maybe you can form your opinion and belief and not be so easily swad by politics. And honestly there's nothing wrong with agreeing with one party on one issue and agreeing with the other on another.

I had a similar issue. A local guy was said to want to make our medical records public. Well that wasn't the case at all. He was wanting medical records from local abortion clinics that were for underaged and late term abortion to be given to the court for legal reasonings. Why you should do your own research on issues.

Also nothing wrong with changing once new facts are given to you. I use to be prochoice all the way when I was a teen. Sure I don't want some man telling me what medical procedures I can and can't have, but then I looked into it and now I believe there should be a line where how late into the term you can go and still have it done. So after the first trimester I am prolife.

Answer 3

I think it shows intelligence that you can't choose a side, because many of these sides have so many valid points both for and against them. You don't always have to choose a side, sometimes there is no right or wrong/ Just a lot of grey area. I'm the same way with political views. I think at the end of the day its hard to determine issues such as abortion in general because it affects so many people with so many individual differences. However, what you can know and can often be sure of is how each affects you. Like, you can look at an issue such as abortion and not know whether or not you are pro-choice, but you can often look at abortion and determine whether or not it is something you yourself would do.

Answer 4

There's nothing wrong with changing your views. In fact, it's a good thing. It shows that you still have an open mind and can listen to opposing arguments. So many politicians decide what they'll do and then listen to no other views. How can people ever agree on anything unless they can see other people's point of view?

There's a name for political people who don't go along blindly with either political party: Independent. It's a good name.

Answer 5

Your young and 17. Don't worry if you change your mind. Just don not let other people do it. you also cn be middle of the road ??? be pro-choice for the first trimester and be pro-life for the second and third??find facts yourself. Do not listen to other people for facts. they have opinions not facts. you will find that even polls are slanted to read the way of the writer of the poll. You can ask the same question two different ways to the same person and get two different answers. find out the truth for yourself. look for slants on the right and left. i have found them more on the left in my research but thats me.
and if they blame it on someone like the president.
find out if it is even his job. i have seen both sides blame the president for things that only congress does and has no bearing on him. good and bad.

Answer 6

You'd get along with John kerry, you're what they call a flip flopper. It's not about finding a niche in the government, it's about having a core set of values and beliefs that you truly believe in. Don't look to the government and the politicians to see what's right, you have to decide that for yourself. It's about standing up for what you believe.

Answer 7

It's normal... A smart person can't be sure of their position all the time, and just because a person changes their mind, it doesn't make them a "flip-flopper" or any other childish Rush Limbaugh talking point.

Read up on the issues and since you are in the middle, realize, that your advantage is understanding both sides...You'll get comfortable with political view point, I went from Conservative to Liberal.

Answer 8

I'm glad you're open minded!It sounds to me like you're getting caught up in the "spin" of whoever is speaking.My advice is to research issues independently and decide for yourself without anyone else's input.They wouldn't be "issues" if both sides didn't have good points!If you use logic and faith you'll figure out where you stand eventually.

Answer 9

No sweetie it is OK to be that way they means you are "OPEN MINDED" which allot more people need to be and plus your opinion is your opinion and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks it is how you feel about the situation i am about to be 22yrs.old and i didn't vote in the last presidential election because i am they same way you are so i know it can drive you crazy at times but you never know one day it can help you help others to see things in a much larger perspective so don't freak out just hang in there OK.......

Answer 10

You're not related to John Kerry by any chance? Ok, just kidding. He's stood on both sides of so many issues, we've lost count.

I think you should do a lot of reading and decide for yourself what you think is right and fighting for it.