Researchers have discovered that the family structure of one's ancestors, even dating back thousands of years, can reliably predict an individual's cultural policy preferences today, with a particular emphasis on right-wing values. A recent study conducted by Neil Fasching and Yphtach Lelkes from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication has shed light on a fascinating relationship between ancestral family ties and political beliefs. The study also found that these ancestral ties have a broader impact, influencing political landscapes at the country and legislative levels.
Fasching, a doctoral student specialising in political communication, highlights the significance of the research, stating, "Interestingly, we find evidence that the association isn't just with individual beliefs. It plays out even at the country and legislative level. If a country's population is rooted in close, tight-knit families, that country is less likely to pass LGBTQ-friendly laws, for example."
The study provides valuable insights into the complexities of political attitudes and the underlying cultural factors that contribute to policy formation. By understanding the historical roots of societal values, policymakers and researchers can better comprehend the intricate dynamics shaping contemporary political landscapes.
To trace the effects of ancestral kinship strength on contemporary political attitudes, Fasching and Lelkes analyzed data from over 20,000 second-generation immigrants residing in 32 European countries. By assigning "kinship tightness scores" to the respondents, the researchers aimed to disentangle their current location from their ancestors' location and determine the correlation between family structure and right-wing beliefs. The study also incorporated factors such as values, ethnic groups, and the historical reliance of a person's ethnic group on hunter-gathering versus agriculture.
The research indicates that modern family kinship structure is influenced by various factors, including marriage restrictions, geographic proximity to extended family, and trust of outsiders. These structures can be traced back to early civilizations when hunter-gatherers roamed in search of sustenance, leading to weaker family ties. In contrast, settled agricultural societies tended to prioritize extended families and strong kinship connections.
The study further revealed a strong association between kinship strength and the presence of anti-LGBT laws. Countries with lower kinship tightness, such as Norway, Finland, Germany, and the United States, demonstrated a lesser likelihood of implementing anti-LGBT legislation. Conversely, countries with higher kinship tightness, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Grenada, and Liberia, exhibited a greater tendency to enact such laws.
Lelkes, associate professor of communication at Annenberg and co-director of the Polarisation Research Lab and the Center for Information Networks and Democracy, emphasises the enduring influence of ancestral family kinship structures on public policy. "While policy decisions may seem like they're driven by current or transient factors, our research shows that public policy is also deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of a society," Lelkes explains. "Ancestral family kinship structures are a part of that cultural fabric and can shape the fundamental values and social norms that underpin our societies. These structures were formed based on the environment in which our ancestors lived and can have a significant influence on the policies that are ultimately adopted."
