ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the socialization of children into the political system of the United States. It aims to chart and document the growth of political behavior. The young child's trust in the political system is expressed not only by a view of figures and institutions as benign, but through a view of the obligation of the citizen primarily to be a good person. The young child's involvement with the political system begins with a strong positive attachment to the country; the United States is seen as ideal and as superior to other countries. Religious affiliation has a strong but limited effect on political socialization in the elementary-school years. The most striking feature of political socialization in the elementary school is the extent to which basic orientations have been acquired by children by the end of the eighth grade. The intelligence of the child is one of the most important mediating influences in the acquisition of political behavior.
