How to Practice Social Conservatism

Social conservatism is a personal political ideology that focuses more on what the individual or individual's community sees as a traditional moral structure. Although it would be short-sighted to assign a specific set of beliefs and positions as wholly socially conservative, there are specific attributes that are common among those that consider themselves social conservatives. However if you're considering becoming a social conservative, there are certain positions with which you should align yourself. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Religion

1. Define the traditional family. A typical view of social conservatives is that same-sex marriage and domestic partnerships are not in the mold of the traditional family. If you believe that marriage consists of a relationship between a man and a woman only, then you're on your way to becoming a practicing social conservative. A key tenet of social conservatism is the opposition of homosexual sex as well as any laws granting equal rights to couples consisting of two men or two women.

2. Make up your mind about human life. Social conservatives on the whole adamantly oppose abortion and stem cell research because they view it as 'taking a human life'. You must decide if you believe that life begins at the moment of conception and should be protected at all costs, or if you believe that women have the right to choose what happens to their bodies. If you believe in the former consider yourself a social conservative, if not, welcome to the rest of the world.

3. Decide how you feel about sex. Social conservatives do not condone premarital sex or the teaching of sex education in public schools. In addition, an increasing concern of social conservatives is the growing popularity of pornography and the general commercialization of sex on television and in popular culture. To accurately practice social conservative principles, you must be in favor as abstinence as the only form of sex education until after marriage.

4. Define morality. Regardless of how socially conservative you are, how you define morality will determine how you practice social conservatism. The goal of social conservatives is to increase morality (as defined by the social conservative movement) in the country by expanding their principles and electing politicians that will make their principles the law.

5. Yearn for a return of religion to public life. Most principles of social conservatism are derived from religious teachings. As a social conservative you should want and participate in an effort to return religious practices to public life, which includes prayer in public schools and posting the 10 Commandments in courthouses and public cemeteries.

Tips & Warnings

• These issues should guide for whom you vote.
• Spread the word of these principles whenever you can.
• Belief in these principles may require you to vote against your economic interests.