As the debate goes on over the influence of a Latina's life on her empathy for others living that life,

or the impact a woman's views may have in moderating the boardroom or the Senate,

a current UK study suggests that daughters influence fathers to be more liberal. Conversely, the influence of sons is to make mothers more conservative.

As men acquire female children, the narrative goes, men gradually shift their views towards being more sympathetic to the public good. That is, more liberal.

And a mother with sons becomes more aware of the case for lower taxes and a smaller supply of public goods.

One point that the researchers made is one I can readily agree with: Political views are much less independently chosen, much less rationally applied, than people realize. Children influence parents, just as parents affect their offspring.

Recent findings in America, the article continued, showed that US congressmen were more likely to support gender equality policies if they had daughters. Realizing the potential struggles their daughters will face and the preconceptions they will have to deal with, fathers become more sympathetic.

Ex-Vice President Cheney the exception, not the rule.