Some conversations can cause a lot of trouble between family, friends, and coworkers, some say religion and politics are at the top list of difficult conversations. Talking to your children about politics can be a situation that leaves a person confused as to what to say.
Children do get involved in political discussions in-home and at political events, they are exposed to the topics and talks. It is important to think and plan before making the decision to have the politics talk with children.
With recent studies, the findings showed that 13% of parents start to talk to their children about politics between the age of 5 and 8 and 40% from the age between 6 and 8 years. An interesting finding in these studies was that about 40% of children ask their parents about politics and 46% of parents do talk to their kids about politics.
Looking at these findings can make one wonder at what age to start the political discussions with children and how to do it. At the end of the day, it’s probably just up to the parents to decide as a family when the right time is.
Most of the time when children ask their parents about politics it is around election time or when certain political issues are discussed in front of them. A start to this discussion could be asking your children what they would do if they were president. This opens the conversation in a comfortable manner.
Some also suggest that it’s not necessary to talk to them about politics until they get older but making them understand about the importance of voting is very important. Talking to them about political campaigns and politicians might be too difficult for them to understand at a young age. Starting with the importance of voting and topics that you take interest in is easier.
Small community issues are often also good discussions to start with politics as it involves them, and the situations are near to them to understand and to give their opinion. It’s good to challenge them in trying to come to conclusions about the problems that the community is facing, teaching them about leadership skills and decision-making in the process.
To try and convince them to see things your way can be problematic, as parents’ duties involve bringing up a child to become a strong free-thinking adult. This may also discourage them and turn their interest in politics away.
Following any of the information in this article can help you think further about what is important in the family and to notice when children are ready for the conversation.