Growing up on a reservation and American Indians’ political attitudes

This article explores whether American Indians in the United States who grew up on reservations differ from other American Indians in their political attitudes. Since growing up on a reservation likely offers unique socializing experiences to American Indians that will foster strong individual tribal identity and culture, I expect that those who grew up on reservations will have greater support for the Democratic party, liberalism, and co-ethnic candidates, but lower levels of partisanship. Using an opt-in internet survey of 301 American Indians in the US, the results suggest that those who spent more time on reservations as children had more support for co-ethnic candidates, the Democratic party, and liberalism, but were not more or less partisan than those who spent less time on a reservation. The implications and limitations of the study are also explored.
Source: The Social Science Journal - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research