login
Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer]
-
No new posts
 2012-09-19 9:19 AM |
Member  5452    NC |  Subject: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer]So someone wrote on FB that they were proud that their father raised them to be a diehard [political party of his choice]. They went on to stress the important of critical thinking. Something about these two statement didn't add up for me. Interestingly, just the other night one of the kids (6yo) said something about a politician and we (me and wife) didn't really express our opinions about the politician. My wife favors a particular party, while I don't, so she said later that she was tempted to express more of an opinion. I suggested that it was wise that we just let it roll. So, understanding that age plays a large role in the analysis, how do you handle political discussions with your kids? Do you try to lead them down the R or D path, or let them find their way? I certainly want mine to find their own path (I think they are both awful, so I'm not invested), but how do you foster good discussions on these topics if you are attempting to remain neutral? Should you remain neutral? Mind you, I'm not talking about values, but more the thin-slicing that separates political preferences. I think this would get easier when they are older with the ability to think more critically. Thank you.
Edited by Goosedog 2012-09-19 9:29 AM |
| 2012-09-19 9:40 AM in reply to: #4418217 |
Elite 4564  Boise | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] Goosedog - 2012-09-19 8:19 AM So someone wrote on FB that they were proud that their father raised them to be a diehard [political party of his choice]. They went on to stress the important of critical thinking. Something about these two statement didn't add up for me. Interestingly, just the other night one of the kids (6yo) said something about a politician and we (me and wife) didn't really express our opinions about the politician. My wife favors a particular party, while I don't, so she said later that she was tempted to express more of an opinion. I suggested that it was wise that we just let it roll. So, understanding that age plays a large role in the analysis, how do you handle political discussions with your kids? Do you try to lead them down the R or D path, or let them find their way? I certainly want mine to find their own path (I think they are both awful, so I'm not invested), but how do you foster good discussions on these topics if you are attempting to remain neutral? Should you remain neutral? Mind you, I'm not talking about values, but more the thin-slicing that separates political preferences. I think this would get easier when they are older with the ability to think more critically. Thank you.
I think the critical thinking part is the important thing. My mom is a die-hard liberal democrat and my dad is a pseudo libertarian. I am a libertarian. I disagree with my dad on a lot of stuff though. They both were very vocal in their views while I was younger. I think they did a good job of raising me to have solid critical thinking skills so I was able to come to my own conclusions on most things. |
| 2012-09-19 9:43 AM in reply to: #4418217 |
Pro 5755 | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] It's tough sometimes. My son will be voting in his first election and he's registered Independent, since he wasn't really sure where he stands. He knows my party affiliation and his mothers, but we're trying to get him to make up his own mind. I was watching CNN with him last night and at one point asked him if he felt the reporting was biased (in my view it was more opinion than reporting). He had never really thought about the media being biased. |
| 2012-09-19 1:38 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Pro 5361 | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] My father raised me to be one way... and I evolved to the other. |
| 2012-09-19 4:52 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Expert 1240 Columbia, MO | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] Well, my mom and dad were polar opposites politically, they are now divorced(take that for what it's worth) My wife and I are both the same, we've remained neutral with our 11 y/o daughter, but she's developed pretty much the same outlook as ours for now(even if she has a bit of a tree hugger streak in her) |
| 2012-09-19 5:19 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Pro 9391 Omaha, NE | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] Neither of my parents voted at all so I didn't have a lot of influence there. They were very much on the entitlement kick though so had they voted I'm pretty sure I know which way they would have voted. :-) As for my kids I strongly encourage them to think critically and come to their own opinions. All three of them have different views on different topics and they challenge me on things and I challenge them on things. It's kind of fun and I think it helps them either question their beliefs or reinforce their beliefs when we have these discussions. One thing I always ask them is "why do you believe that way". If I get the blank stare or the "because" then I know they're just reverberating something they heard or read. It's fun to watch the gears turn. |
| 2012-09-19 5:55 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Veteran 334 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] My parents have never revealed who they have voted for to my sister or myself. Obviously there is no way they can remain completely unbiased when raising a child for 18 years but they did their best. To this day I'm not sure which way they actually vote aside from guesstimating on the way they lean based on certain issues. Honestly I think it's an awesome way to raise your kids. I think I have decent critical thinking skills and I'm always impressed when I have little debates with my sister. Also I think this is a factor on why I refuse to register with a certain party. Both have their merits and I'm not going to stick with one just because I happen to agree with one candidate for one election. |
| 2012-09-19 10:30 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Elite 3972 Reno | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] I grew up in a household was civically active parents. my father ran for local office and served many years on Boro Councils and county planning commissions. my mother volunteered at polling stations on election days. What this demonstrated to us was that participation in the process was important. We knew where they stood and I hear my older brother even attended VN peace vigils as a baby. That same older brother grew up to attend west point and is a lt col to this day and runs a website promote open carry of hand guns. I am a pro mining democrat who gets involved in neighbor hood activism and my sister (tri mama) can speak for herself. I guess my folks did teach us critical thinking and active participation above party loyalty. My husband is votes for the first time this election. (no, I am not so cougar like - he is newly naturalized not Newly 18). It is really great to be around that kind of enthusiasm for the process. In the Country of his birth he never voted due to the intimidation surrounding the polls. Then I admitted to voting for Bush jr the first time and he told me then I had to sleep outside in the yard |
| 2012-09-19 10:44 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
| Alpharetta, Georgia | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] My dad is a die-hard, radical and what I would call almost extremist {political party here} and while I agree with some of that stuff, certainly not all. I'm more of a Centrist and believe in finding common ground. Maybe it's that his views are so extreme that I chose to gravitate toward the middle. I dunno, but political conversations in my family are brutal. I like the idea of presenting your view to your kids, along with different views, but not necessarily pushing one way or another. Eventually they will, and should, decide for themselves. |
| 2012-09-19 10:46 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Elite 3972 Reno | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] Sorry -I hit submit before it was done. I think it's important to translate to your children how the process is, and not just by yelling at a pundent on the television, but by participation. I don't have children, but if I did, they would know where I stood on issues and why (insert age-appropriate levels hereimportant). Remaining silent might imply that it doesn't matter. If they disagreed with me I would restrain myself from making them sleep in the yard, but I think the discourse would stimulate thought on both sides. If you can't examine you opinions critically, they aren't worth having |
| 2012-09-19 10:52 PM in reply to: #4418217 |
Pro 15655 | Subject: RE: Raising Your Children to Be A [Political Party You Prefer] My wife and I are polar opposites politically...it kind of sucks to know we are always cancelling out the other's vote.....but then we had 5 kids. Two can vote and they are split....no help. My son seems to be firmly in my camp, and the twins do the opposite of each other just to be stupid...so it would seem I get one of their votes as well.....game over for my wife. Sometimes, late at night, I sneak into my twin's room and turn their radio to Fox news when they are sleeping....you don't know....it could help....I could end up with a 5 - 2 landslide! |
|
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK