Experts encourage open dialogue about politics between parents and children

Political messages have become embedded into our daily lives. The campaign signs, political ads and news stories are all-encompassing. Hiding this from your kids can be challenging.

“At school, of course, they hear whether they should vote for Kamala or Trump,” said Joshua Dahlstrom, a parent in Coeur D’Alene. “And so, they come home and they say, why would we vote for one or the other?”

This is a question you might have faced in your own home. Experts say shying away from it might do more harm than good.”Their understanding of politics is fuzzy, which can lead to feelings of anxiety,” said Dr. Erin Pahlke, a professor at Whitman College.Dr. Pahlke did a study on elementary-aged children and found that 80% of kids could identify candidates by their names if you showed them a picture.”They have opinions about what their personalities are like, what their policies are, what their characteristics are, and things like that,” she said.

A 2023 Pew Research study found that the most common words used to describe American politics are variations of the word “divided.”Dr. Asheley Landrum, a professor at Arizona State University, conducted a study that found this to be true for kids as well. “What polarization really is, is a gap between two groups, and so we are seeing divergence in attitudes towards adults in political positions in children,” said Landrum.

This exposure to politics can happen in unexpected ways.Dr. Landrum’s study found that many kids are exposed to politics on their own devices, even if those have parental control over them. “During these games or during YouTube, even if they were watching YouTube Kids or playing kid games like Minecraft and Roblox, they were being exposed to political advertisements during those programs,” said Dr. Landrum.

However, it is not just the access to political information that has changed; it’s the candidates themselves.”There are political speeches I wouldn’t even want my kids to watch because it’s inappropriate, like, it’s not okay for kids,” said Spokane parent of two, Morgan Thomas. “To have to censor that, limits opportunities to them.”

So, what can parents do to navigate diverse political landscapes?Dr. Pahlke stresses the importance of open dialogue.”You should absolutely talk to your kids about politics. Start by asking them what they know, correct any misconceptions, and be willing to address their concerns,” she said.By fostering an environment of open communication, parents can help their children navigate the complexities of political discourse. Dr. Pahlke said it is important to be open about your political stance and explain the opposing view to your kids.

While this might be challenging, both experts say constructive conversations at home are the way to move forward and ensure this next generation is not as polarized as this one.