Getting a handle on 'political positions'

To consider child-raising from a political perspective, it is first necessary to get a handle on 'political positions'. I have been persuaded by Robert Ennis' analysis in "Equality of Educational Opportunity" (Educational Theory. 1976) where he sets out the differences in the Conservative and Liberal positions. As I understand Ennis, those in the Conservative position contend that most power for changing an individual is a function of the personal factor, where the personal factor consists of such things as beliefs, goals, motivation and traits (Ennis, 1976, p.9). According to Ennis those in the Liberal position consider external, environmental factors as being more important. By extending this distinction between Conservative and Liberal positions it is possible to describe characteristics of the political philosophies of each position as they apply to child-raising in a society. 

Thinking about child-raising

I am intrigued by the notion of child-raising - not the 'how-to' or 'why', but the 'how-come'. What has struck me is that political philosophies appear to ignore 'child-raising' as an important social enterprise within a society. In this blog I muse about the political basis for child-raising. I hope others will join the conversation.