Final answer:
Family plays a crucial role in an individual's political socialization, shaping political orientations from childhood through adulthood. This influence is especially pronounced in households with strong political engagement and consistent party identification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the influence of family counts for very little during the formation of an individual's initial political orientation is false. The family is usually considered the most important influence on a person's political socialization. Children tend to adopt the political views and attitudes of their parents, especially when parental engagement is high and party identification is strong. Research has shown that in households where both parents share the same political affiliation, children's political orientations often crystallize to match that of their parents. On the contrary, in households where parental political affiliations differ, children's political ideologies tend to be less homogeneous.
The impact of the family extends beyond childhood and can also influence the political socialization of adults. Dynamics such as the family structure and the engagement level in political activities play significant roles in shaping a person's political orientation throughout their lifetime. Moreover, societal factors such as religion, ethnicity, and living conditions may interplay with family influence, further shaping political orientation in diverse contexts, such as in regions divided by ethnic and religious lines.