Theoretical Foundations for Identifying Preschool Age as the Initial Stage of Political Socialization
https://doi.org/10.25587/2587-5612-2026-2-55-61
Abstract
This article substantiates the validity of identifying preschool age as the initial stage of political socialization. Based on an analysis of theoretical approaches, it is shown that political socialization begins not with a child’s conscious interest in politics, but much earlier, in the family, play, and everyday interactions with adults at the age of 5-7. The paper identifies three key psychological conditions without which the initial stage of political socialization is impossible: the ability to perceive power not only as a specific individual but also as a symbol; initial ideas about what is just and unjust; and the emotional experience of belonging to a group («we,» «ours»). It is concluded that preschool age is a valuable initial stage of political socialization, where the emotional and symbolic foundation of an individual’s future political consciousness is laid.
About the Author
M. P. Okorokova
M. K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Okorokova Matrena Pavlovna – PhD in Political Science, Associate Professor, Department of History, Social Science, and Political Science, Faculty of History
Yakutsk
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Review
For citations:
Okorokova M.P. Theoretical Foundations for Identifying Preschool Age as the Initial Stage of Political Socialization. Вестник Северо-Восточного федерального университета имени М. К. Аммосова. Vestnik of North-Eastern Federal University. Серия «Общественные науки. Social science». 2026;(2):55-61. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.25587/2587-5612-2026-2-55-61
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