What Affects Party Identification?

    For the most part, the country is divided between people who are Republicans, and people who are Democats.  Barring those who identify with third parties, the majority of the country flows to either the political left, or the political right.  Although it may be obvious for some people why they chose what they chose, one can not wonder why the country is so polarized. 
    One thing that I feel strongly affects party identification, is family.  Statistics show that politically active families lead their children to in turn be politically active.  In my political science classes, there are usually only one or two students who admit to having parents who were not politically active.  If both parents are republicans, a childs view on republicans will most definitely be skewed, visa versa.  Children who have active republican/democratic parents will most definitely be able to agree with their parents party affiliation, as these children will usually only hear the positives about one party and the negatives of the rival party.
   Another thing that I feel strongly affects party identification is ones surroundings.  Growing up in highly rural or densly urban areas will definitely have an effect on one's political opinions.  Those who grow up in rural areas statistically relate more to republican values, while those who grow up in urban areas generally identify themselves with democratic values.  The reason that this is true deals with the fact that those in urban areas, statistically, deal more with people who recieve social benefits from the government.  Democratic leaders tend to be much more leniant with social benefits than do republicans.
    Although family and surroundings have a lot to do with party identification, there are probably many cognitive factors that play a role in picking a party, which people do not even know about.  Although other factors may exist, I feel that ones family, upbringing and surroundings has the most to do with party identification.