Thread by @suzannezeedyk

The link between childhood & authoritarianism. A THREAD -
because there is more & more talk about the rise in authoritarianism in British culture & I think it is important to recognise the links with parenting styles.

2. Political Scientist Stephen Feldman has done classic research on authoritarianism. He argues that "authoritarian predispositions originate in t conflict betwn t values of social conformity &personal autonomy."
COVID conflicts are rich breeding grounds. jstor.org/stable/3792510

3. So how do you measure 'authoritarian predispositions'? (Note: I find the answer unnerving.) It turns out to be simple. You ask 4 questns :
Do you think it is more important for a child to: 1) have independence or respect for elders? 2) have obedience or self-reliance?...

4. Shall I go on?
Which would you say is more important - for a child to: 3) be considerable or well behaved? 4) have curiosity or good manners? That's it.
These 4 questns turn out to be so reliable as predictors that they hv become an 'industry standard' in political surveys.

5. If you'd like to read more, here's one of Feldman's research chapters published in 2020, based on US data. "The measure of authoritarianism used in the analysis is constructed frm 4 questions that contrast pairs of child-rearing values." stanleyfeldman.site44.com/Feldman_Author…

6. If you get really keen, here's a 2021 paper, putting his ideas in a wider theoretical context. "A core debate in authoritarianism resrch is whethr this disposition is socialized in early childhood or is impacted by exterior conditions, espclly threat." frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…

7. There is lots more I cd say about the nuances of this literature. But this is t confined space of Twitter, so I'll jump to my core point: a) Threat is central to theories of authoritarianism. b) Childhood experiences shape your perception of threat. ...and...

8. c) There's debate all over Twitter and all through current policy creation (especlly in regard to educ) about t importance of behaviour & obedience. Suddenly, we find ourselves smack in t middle of these political science discussions. I think recognising that link matters.

9. Peter Gates @petergates3 wrote about this recently.

https://twitter.com/petergates3/status/1447541963067203586

10. Emma Soares @emmasoares11 worried about behaviour controls today.

https://twitter.com/emmasoares11/status/1448315793993777159?s=20

11. Alison Whelan wrote for @UpstartScot about how she has decided to leave the early years profession (in England) because she feels current emphases, like "being able to sit still and listen" has become a form of "damaging" children. upstart.scot/fighting-the-s…

12. I wrote about Feldman & his 4 questions in 2016 -when Trump was only t Republican nominee & not yet t US President. I ended this way: "Trump is dangerous NOT because he is the nominee. Trump is dangerous because he legitimises fear. Fight fear." suzannezeedyk.com/attachment-the…

13. Right now there is growing fear &anxiety everywhr. COVID, vaccinations, masks, Brexit, NHS, Universal Credit cuts, energy prices, supply chains, toys for Christmas. Fear serves t rise of authoritarianism. Authoritarianism will do terrible things to our country. And the world.

14/end. So where you can...
Fight fear. Sprinkle kindness. Spark laughter. Strengthen trust. Relax about children's behaviour. Think about stress systems. Be gentle. Offer compassion. Stay strong. Create connection.
Fight fear. Fight division. Fight fear.

@Mr_PaintPots @paulinescott222 @pauldixtweets @debrakidd @realdcameron @pollytoynbee @Dr_Pam_Jarvis @KeeganSmith_Law @kdenvir @A_BTweets @havenstonehaven @_LisaCherry @LisaReagan3 @SimonPartridge @lenabellina @Graham_Goulden @grahamchatterl2 @brigidrussell51 @margl43 @mannajon

*considerate
(Okay, you can create division with autocorrect if you like. 😀)