How to Talk to Your Kids About Politics, Abortion, and the Future of America – 74

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Supreme Court in 2022 Dobbs/Jackson the decision was overturned Roe v. Wade, It pushes parents to talk to their children about abortion, one of the most controversial issues in American life. My daughter, who was 10 at the time, unfamiliar with the subject but exposed to the media frenzy, asked, “What is abortion?” he asked.

When I was growing up, a question like this would be deflected as: “I’ll tell you when you grow up.” But with the internet at nearly every child’s fingertips, vague answers will no longer suffice. Kids are curious, and if their parents don’t respond, a query to Alexa or a Google search will do it.

I explained the basics of pregnancy, which she already understood, and defined abortion as a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. We discussed the spectrum of beliefs about when abortion is acceptable and compared the laws in our home state of New York to those in Mississippi, where access to abortion is severely restricted. This led to a discussion of federalism, which I summarized in terms he could understand: How states can make different laws based on local political views and legislators.

My goal was not to put forward my own views, but to give him the tools to think critically about the subject. Like so many other moments in parenting, this conversation wasn’t about giving him the “right” answer; it was about guiding him to ask questions and look at things from a broader perspective.

Talking about abortion or any political issue is intimidating. But at least 10 states put abortion measures to the vote in 2024 electionsSince presidential and vice presidential candidates are asked about the subject in many forums, children will inevitably encounter these terms and concepts.

In today’s polarized climate, parents often feel ill-equipped to address these heavy topics with their children. they just choose not to. But these discussions are too important to avoid. The responsibility for raising informed, participatory citizens falls on the family.

Parents shape how their children perceive politics. While schools may cover the basics of civics, conversations at home are where children truly begin to understand and navigate the world around them. Here they learn that politics is not just something that is shown on television or something that happens in Washington DC, it affects their lives and future. And parents only have four or fewer presidential elections to focus on what important political debates should be like before their children reach voting age.

Here are three strategies to make political discussions with kids more meaningful during election season:

First, know your role. Children look to their parents to make sense of the world, including politics. Families are their first teachers; not because they have all the answers, but because they can model the importance of coming together to explore questions about government and politics. If children see their parents avoiding political topics because they feel uncomfortable, they will likely shy away from those topics, too. However, by approaching these issues with curiosity, children will learn to question, discuss and seek different perspectives. These skills will serve them not only in civic engagement but in all walks of life.

Second, curb your negativity. It’s easy for parents, or anyone else, to get caught up in negativity, especially when discussing politicians they don’t like. But consistently disparaging politics or government can diminish children’s desire to participate in civic life. If all they hear is how broken the system is, why would they get involved? Instead, model productive political discourse; Teach them to respectfully disagree and value different perspectives.

Third, humanize government. Don’t let politics become an abstraction: Introduce your kids to the people who represent them, whether by attending a local event or writing a letter to an elected official. Show them that politicians are accessible and that the work they do has a direct impact on the lives of their voters. These interactions help children see government not as a distant, faceless entity but as real people working (or sometimes failing) to solve problems.

It is the duty of parents to help children understand that politics is a part of life. Guiding these conversations is necessary to raise children who are ready to shape a better political climate. So if your child asks “What is abortion?” or “Why are you voting?” – don’t brush it off. Don’t assume they are too young. Welcome to the conversation. It may be challenging, but it is a necessary step in educating the next generation of engaged citizens. They are the ones who will inherit American democracy; Make sure they are ready to guide him or her to a brighter future.

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