Worldview Origins―Part 1: The Role of Parents, Media, and Education

“And he said to them: ‘Set your hearts on all the words which I testify among you today, which you shall command your children to be careful to observe—all the words of this law. For it is not a futile thing for you, because it is your life, and by this word you shall prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to possess.’” Deuteronomy 32:46-47 Have you ever heard the phrase, “you are what you eat” or “garbage in, garbage out”? Both of these sayings have to do with exposure. The first means that the food you expose your body to will directly affect you, perhaps making you more overweight or more fit. The second phrase, taken from the computer world, means that whatever you put into your mind will produce similar outputs. Thus, if you are watching nothing but depressing news stories, you will be more likely to engage with other people in a depressing way as well. Both of these common phrases help to illustrate a very important truth about worldview: it is formed based on exposure. Worldview resides in the subconscious. It forms quietly without our knowing, and it influences everything about us subtly without our awareness. But there are an astonishing number of factors which play a role in crafting a person’s worldview from a young age. In this article and the next, we will highlight and discuss some of the more prominent and influential factors which play a part in this important shaping. For better or for worse, our worldview is born out of exposure.