Anyone aware of voting behavior in our democracy should take note of the fact that our parent’s political views strongly dictate how we ourselves vote. For some, this may be a Newtonian equal and opposite reaction: Strongly opposing the views of our parents due to their passionately differing views to our own. But for many, especially those of the fortunate middle-to-upper-class America that attend university, the partisanship of our parents is reflected within ourselves.

Maybe this is an obvious relation, but to me, this relation gets exemplified during the highly politicized years of presidential elections. Some of this seems coincidental, but the Facebook politicos of our generation often express opinions—not always educated—with passion and a bit of fury. But where does this emotion stem from? Is it John Kasich’s stance on Planned Parenthood? Is it truly Bernie Sander’s stance on prison reform? Are the issues what spark our emotional opinions, or is it the view of their parents that makes a viewpoint so vehement?

I’m not trying to dilute the ability for college students to have our own opinions, but it is often those that fall to the far left or right of our political spectrum that have more than policies and politicians driving their extreme viewpoint. I believe what we are seeing in many millennial politicos is a reactionary viewpoint rather than one solely based on fact or self-discovered opinion. Sure, someone can align themselves with the far left or far right, but I often sense the constant publication of a polarized viewpoint has more than a passion for politics behind it.

I was raised in a fairly conservative household. And while I lean to the right, I most certainly would not identify as a “right-winging, gun-clinging” partisan woman. I enjoy my “liberal” education that my dad frets about when asking my viewpoint on an issue. Sure, I won’t pretend as though my generally left-leaning professors haven’t swayed me on a few viewpoints of social issues, but it’s also reaffirmed my commitment to being a fiscal conservative. This doesn’t make my voting decisions the easiest, but combining what I’ve gleaned through simply becoming college-educated woman along with the conservative values I was steeped in has truly allowed me to see the best of both sides and also attenuate between the worst of them.

This is not to say that I know all the answers nor do I have the ability to implement anything as a 20-year-old in Columbus. However, seeing the beauty of both sides of accepting views that differ from my parents, but certainly not forgetting why they have the partisan stances they do has allowed me to appreciate political viewpoints and discussion of all slants, so long as they come from an educated place.

In this 2016 political storm, I advise you all to look at both sides with an open mind. The most important thing to recall upon making political decisions at such a malleable time in our lives is to assure our opinions are certified through reading and discussions with the other side. Sure, we may inherit certain ideologies, but don’t let that brand you to one party or another. Don’t be afraid to stray away from your parent’s political nest they raised you on. I’m not saying burn it to the ground, but there is a balance you can strike between becoming an echo of their views or a complete cynic.

You are allowed to shop around when it comes to issue stances. You are allowed to be passionate on one issue and not give a damn about another, but at least give a damn about something.