Seton Hill University (SHU) students generally agree that voting in the presidential election is a personal decision. However, parental voting preferences can affect the ways in which students vote.
“I am voting for the same candidate as my parents,” said Mary Harmon, a freshman physician assistant major. “They have passed on their beliefs and values to me and I chose to believe them. I think that it brings us closer and we are a better family because of it!”
SHU senior and human resource major Danielle Sethman serves as an example of a student voting differently than parents based on previous occurrences. Sethman believes she is more open-minded because of personal experiences with friends and peers.
“I am voting for a different candidate than my parents. Not that my parents are horribly close-minded but they definitely have more traditional beliefs. I never talk about my political views with them because I know they wouldn’t be understanding,” said Sethman.
Sophomore communication and journalism major Desiree DeClaudio feels that her parents do not impact her voting patterns.
“My mom isn’t even registered to vote, and my stepfather is registered as an independent. It does not really influence the way I vote as a first-generation voter. I make my own decisions and vote according to issues that I find important. I am also a first-generation college student, as well, so perhaps my goals for life are different than theirs are,” said DeClaudio.
According to SHU junior Alyssa Liberato, a criminal justice and creative writing major, voting in accordance with her parents is common, if she agrees with what a candidate stands for. “Especially with abortion, I agree strongly with my parents because they are completely pro-life. I do not waiver on that issue.”
“I usually vote the same way my parents do and believe in most of the same things. We have the same ideas for what makes a good leader,” said freshman English and creative writing major Jessica Walker.
Senior Spanish education major Bevin Brogan said she does not plan to vote this year, regardless of who her parents plan to vote for. “I feel like my vote doesn’t matter and I would have to choose between the lesser of two evils. My parents are voting for Romney. I’m not anti-supportive of what my parents believe in; however, my parents’ votes do not dictate what my own views are,” said Brogan.