Fascism in Microcosm: How Authoritarian Mindsets Manifest in Familial Dynamics
The Gardener
The father's love for his garden was profound. He often spoke of it, his words carrying the weight of a man professing his faith or honor. The rows of soil behind the house were his domain, each neat furrow a line in a ledger, a promise of order and control.
Each spring, the father handed his children small paper packets of seeds. They scattered them with the exuberant joy of youth, their imaginations running wild with visions of jungles and meadows. The father’s hand was always nearby, guiding their efforts, his firm, flat palm tamping the soil.
The eldest daughter planted marigolds that burst into orange flames, sprawling beyond the borders he had drawn. When they leaned too far into the walkway, he clipped them back with shears, his words about discipline hanging in the air. She stood beside him, silent, watching the bright petals fall. By the following year, her marigolds had grown smaller and subdued. A year later, she did not plant them at all.
The son planted cucumbers, vines curling in playful directions, reaching for whatever stake or fence they could find. His father hacked them back before they could wander too far, the sound of the blade sharp in the summer air. The boy said nothing, but that night he drew pictures of forests where no hand cut back the green, where vines climbed as high as they pleased.
The youngest, still hopeful, planted sunflowers. She loved the way they turned their faces toward the light, defiant in their reaching. But when one grew taller than expected, its golden head peering above the garden wall, the father cut it down. He left the stalk where it fell. She sat beside it until dusk, her small hands tracing the rough edges of the severed stem.
Over time, the garden became what the father wanted: tidy rows, nothing out of place, nothing unexpected. Visitors admired it, praised its discipline. “A perfect garden,” they said. The father smiled.
But the bees came less often. The soil grew tired. And the children, now quiet, planted less each year, until spring arrived with no new shoots at all.
Years later, when storms swept through, the garden withered quickly. Roots pulled loose, leaves tore, and nothing grew back. The rows remained, straight and bare, a monument to the father’s order.
The children, now grown, stood at the edge of the garden and remembered. They remembered the flowers that had once spilled over borders, the vines that had once dared to wander, the sunflowers that had lifted their heads higher than the walls. And they knew that what their father had called strength had been only control, fragile as a clipped stem.
Fascism in Microcosm: How Authoritarian Mindsets Manifest in Familial Dynamics
When fascism is discussed, it is typically understood as a political system characterized by authoritarian leadership, rigid hierarchy, and suppression of dissent. However, fascism is not confined to political regimes; it is also a psychological orientation and a social pattern that can emerge in smaller settings, including family systems. Examining how fascist tendencies manifest in familial dynamics can provide insight into the ways authoritarian mindsets are cultivated and reproduced across generations.
Fighting fascism starts at home.
"If you want to change the world, start in your own backyard."
If you don't like what's being served, leave the table.
And if you want a new menu, get cooking!
The Authoritarian Personality and the Fascist Mindset
The roots of fascist thinking have been studied extensively in psychology. Adorno, Frenkel-Brunswik, Levinson, and Sanford’s (1950) landmark work, The Authoritarian Personality, argued that individuals with rigid, hierarchical, and punitive worldviews are more likely to endorse authoritarian and fascist ideologies. These traits include submission to authority, hostility toward outgroups, and intolerance of ambiguity.
Later scholarship has emphasized that authoritarianism is not simply a political stance but also a psychological defense mechanism: a way of managing fear and uncertainty by investing in rigid hierarchies and “us versus them” distinctions (Altemeyer, 1996). These dynamics often first emerge in the family, where children learn to either question or conform to authority.
Families as Microcosms of Authoritarian Systems
Families are social systems that both reflect and reproduce cultural values. Bowen’s (1978) Family Systems Theory highlights how hierarchy, emotional cutoffs, and rigid roles shape relationships across generations. Within this framework, authoritarian or fascist-like tendencies can become normalized when control and conformity take precedence over dialogue and individuality.
Research on parenting styles provides additional evidence. Authoritarian parenting, defined by high demands and low responsiveness, has been linked to lower self-esteem, less independence, and greater susceptibility to external authority figures later in life (Baumrind, 1966; Pinquart, 2017). Such environments parallel fascist structures by teaching that obedience is more valuable than critical thought.
Implications for the Transmission of Authoritarianism
The family is a critical site for the reproduction of authoritarian values. Studies have shown that intergenerational transmission of political ideology is strongly shaped by early family experiences (Glass, Bengtson, & Dunham, 1986). When children are raised in environments that privilege obedience, fear, and uniformity, they may develop dispositions that make authoritarian governance appear familiar and even desirable. Conversely, families that foster critical thinking, empathy, and dialogue create a foundation for democratic resilience (Pratto, Sidanius, & Levin, 2006).
Why Fighting Fascism at Home Matters
Understanding how fascism shows up in mindsets and family systems is important for several reasons:
Early Formation of Worldviews: Families are the first place where children learn about power, authority, and belonging. If these lessons are rooted in authoritarian patterns—obedience without question, conformity over individuality—children may internalize them as “normal.” This increases the likelihood of tolerating, or even embracing, authoritarianism in society.
Prevention and Intervention: By recognizing fascist-like tendencies in family dynamics (such as scapegoating, corporal punishment, fear-based control, policing emotions, alienation, gaslighting, and suppression of differences), individuals and professionals (educators, therapists, community leaders) can intervene earlier. This awareness makes it possible to disrupt cycles of authoritarian socialization and instead promote empathy, resilience, and the critical thinking needed for collective healing and liberation.
Linking the Personal to the Political: Fascism does not emerge out of nowhere- it grows out of everyday habits, limiting thought patterns, nurturing fear, and learned behaviors. Examining families as microcosms reveals that resisting authoritarianism is not only a political project but also a personal one. Shadow work, which involves becoming aware of subconscious patterns of harm and corrective alignment, is vital for discovering self and fighting manipulation and control tactics!
When we face our shadow, shame and fear can no longer be used to beat us back in line. We take the power back.
Fascism is not only a political phenomenon but also a psychological and relational pattern that can emerge in everyday life. Families that emphasize unquestioned authority, suppress individuality, and rely on fear-based control mirror the very structures that enable authoritarian regimes. Recognizing these micro-level power structures provides insight into how fascism sustains itself culturally and how it can be resisted—not only through political action but also by individual shadow work and fostering healthier, more democratic relationships within families. Healthier family dynamics contribute to healthier democracies, a more peaceful world, and the regeneration of our planet.
Additional Resources
Fascism in America: It’s Happening Here, According to Professor's New Book
Practicing Emergent Strategies to Fight the Right and Resist Fascism
References
Adorno, T. W., Frenkel-Brunswik, E., Levinson, D. J., & Sanford, R. N. (1950). The authoritarian personality. Harper & Row.
Altemeyer, B. (1996). The authoritarian specter. Harvard University Press.
Baumrind, D. (1966). Effects of authoritative parental control on child behavior. Child Development, 37(4), 887–907. https://doi.org/10.2307/1126611
Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. Jason Aronson.
Girard, R. (1986). The scapegoat. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Glass, J., Bengtson, V. L., & Dunham, C. C. (1986). Attitude similarity in three-generation families: Socialization, status inheritance, or reciprocal influence? American Sociological Review, 51(5), 685–698. https://doi.org/10.2307/2095493
Pinquart, M. (2017). Associations of parenting dimensions and styles with internalizing symptoms in children and adolescents: A meta-analysis. Marriage & Family Review, 53(7), 613–640. https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2016.1247761
Pratto, F., Sidanius, J., & Levin, S. (2006). Social dominance theory and the dynamics of intergroup relations: Taking stock and looking forward. European Review of Social Psychology, 17(1), 271–320. https://doi.org/10.1080/10463280601055772