Do you discuss current events with your child?

by Trish Robinson (Subscribe to Trish Robinson's posts) Jan 12th 2008 5:05PM

Categories: Teens & tweens, In The News, Media, Education

Do you discuss current events with your child? What about the ongoing presidential campaigns and the upcoming election? My son discusses politics in his American History class at school, and he has made a few comments that tell me exactly how his teacher will be voting. I have a problem with this, but then, what can I do? Well, I can make sure that I talk to him about all of the candidates and their positions on the issues.

I want my son to be well informed, especially about issues that affect women. I dream of him becoming this sensitive, yet strong man who women will tell their friends, "Kyle is a huge supporter of women's rights." Maybe not, but I do discuss with him what's going on in the world.
We have been talking about the presidential election and the primaries, and what's happening in the Democratic party. I have emphasized to him how he is old enough to remember this election and the possibility of history being made by having a female or black president.

Some of the things I have spent some time talking to him about are how the public and the media seem to treat women differently from men. I read a comment by someone yesterday stating that Hillary had on too much makeup during her victory speech in New Hampshire and that she looked haggard and exhausted. When Senator Clinton spoke to the media with a shaky voice and tears in her eyes, it made national headlines and people argued as to whether it was a strategic maneuver, and when she won the primary, many reporters commented, "The Cry Worked."

My son and I talked about what would have happened if Barack Obama or John Edwards had gotten tears in his eyes when talking about the future of our country, or Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee had discussed his plans for our future with a shaky voice. I also want to reinforce in my son that if the country has a woman leader, it does not make us weak. Even if our leader admits to crying occasionally.

What have you told your children about the media coverage of the campaign? Do you discuss the issues and the presidential candidates with them? Will you discuss your opinions and the candidates you support (and don't support)?

Comments (3)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

the goddess anna 1-12-2008 @ 7:08PM

My eldest is still a bit to young to remember this election (she turns 5 this month), but my husband and I do plan on always discussing civics with our kids. I know my daughter started disliking one candidate in our last local election, because 'Mommy kept getting mean junk mail from him every day!' She would see his picture and call him a meanie. (The guy ended up winning)

I want our kids to grow up not focusing on outward appearances (black/white, female/male), but instead to focus on what a person actually says (and does!). I want my daughter to be proud she is female, but I don't want her to throw away her vote to a candidate just because they're the same gender. I want all of my kids to be well-informed and to decide for themselves, even if they cast a vote for a third party (or for the minority party in their state, darn the electoral college!). I won't speak directly for my husband on this, but I'm fairly certain we're in 100% agreement on this.

In the meantime, however, I still claim to live in a Federalist household, because that's how we plan to raise our kids. I plan on voting in the primary on Super Tuesday, and voting for that same person (even if he doesn't get the nom) in November, because he's the only one I like. If the kids don't agree, well, they have 13 and 16 years, respectively, until they can vote how they want.

michelle 1-13-2008 @ 3:58PM

We have always talked a lot about politics in our house, and this year, we are very involved since I work (volunteer) for the Rudy Giuliani campaign. My daughter (almost 7) knows all about Rudy and what I am doing and why I like him as a candidate. We've talked about the 2 major parties and how the primaries work. She knows Hillary would become the first woman president and Barack the first Black president if elected. She knows I don't support these candidates, but I don't bad-mouth them. I've told her that if the topic comes up in her class (it has), many kids might not like Rudy or Republicans, because that is what they hear from their parents. She tells me "I want Rudy to win because you want Rudy." But I am very clear with her - she cannot make that kind of a decision until she is older. Right now, she is only saying it to agree with me, but she is too young to make a decision. When she is 18, she needs to inform herself about all parties and candidates and then make her own decision.

Sadly, based on comments from some kids at her school, not all parents handle politics this way. I've heard little kids say things like "I HATE President Bush", and "President Bush wants kids to die", and "Republicans are bad . . ." I just so disagree with this and am sorry politics has become so uncivil.

the goddess anna 1-13-2008 @ 4:16PM

I wish I could say I'm surprised that parents would teach their kids that the sitting president is Satan Incarnate... but I'm not.

I'm glad to see another person active in politics though. Sometimes I think people just don't care enough anymore to get involved, especially after they've had kids.