Discussing Politics With Our Unschooled Future Voters

Discussing Politics With Our Unschooled Future Voters

September 10th, 10:53

Current Mood:

contemplative

Whether I like it or not, my children are exposed to politics and questions are popping up. My husband has watched both conventions, and I watched as much as I could. (I have to keep my stress level down these days.) I've noticed the boys have been watching too.

I was a bit concerned when our boys thought our country only has two political parties. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. The media has branded that very well. I ran the list off of other known parties, and they were shocked to discover there were so many more. They wanted to know why we only see and hear about the two.

Questions popped up as to which party do you belong to and who are you voting for. DH & I both explained how we are not registered with any party, so we're what the media calls Independent. We don't vote for any candidate because he or she belongs to a particular party. We don't vote for who has payed for the most commercials or who employees the best speech writers. We don't vote for who has more money. Our vote is never swayed based on signs appearing in my neighbor's yard or on bumper stickers.  Our vote is not based on the candidate who robot calls our home the most, although its very tempting to NOT vote for anyone who robot calls our phone!! We recycle every political postcard we get in the mail WITHOUT caring what it says. We never allow marketing to influence us.

We told our children, we vote based on our own research, after we find a candidate who shares the same ideals as we do. You have to look for the facts as well as review a person's history. You have to keep in mind every politician is going to say what you want to hear to get your vote, so you have to be able to use your mind and think through that motivation.

You should never vote for someone, just because someone you know endorses that candidate. You always need to think for yourself and make your own decision based on your research, not someone else's. You also need to respect the choices of others, even when they are not your own. If you respect someone, you honor their ability to make up their own mind and you don't feel you have to sway them to your way of thinking. A true friend doesn't try to change who you are, but rather accepts you just as you are.

We have witnessed some hateful behavior during this political season. I know it reflects back to those who are spreading it, and I wish I could help my children understand why people make disrespectful choices, but I can't. I'm grateful my children understand that lying, name calling, bigotry and other disrespectful behaviors are not what our family values.