How Ronald Reagan's Childhood Trauma and Religious Experiences Influenced His Formation as President

Abstract

This article examines how childhood trauma and various religious experiences influenced the intellectual and spiritual formation of Ronald Reagan. Although the lives of presidents are well documented, insufficient attention has been paid to the role played by religious mentors who assisted future presidents during the periods of trauma they endured as youth. Reagan's perceptions of his childhood trauma and religious life offer an important lens for understanding the instability he experienced by frequently moving, the fears he faced, an early discovery of a bird egg and butterfly collection encased in an attic, his father's addiction, the spiritual foundation provided by his mother, vision problems, and the exhilaration of saving the lives of potential drowning victims. This article is based on autobiographies, biographies, interviews, and resources from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum including essays Reagan wrote in high school. As a child, Reagan lived with an alcoholic father and suffered from poor vision. The article examines in detail how Reagan coped with the trauma caused by his father's alcoholism. Finally, it discusses how his leadership style was forged in part by a fictional character named Dick Falkner.

Keywords: Ronald Reagan, American presidents, childhood trauma, religion, leadership, mentorship, politics, decision-making