Background:
Commonly, most parents rely on the education system to "educate" their
children about world events, including political ones, perhaps
believing that a teacher might do a better job then they will at
explaining how various societal systems work both nationally and
internationally.
The children however, will gain more of an impact from discussions such as these f
rom their parents due to wishes to identify with them and also because of years of trust.
In fact, research teaches us that most children after adolescence tend
to emulate their parent's political views after a stormy stage of
disagreement during adolescence. Such a phenomenon commonly happens
however when parents take the time to discuss world and hostorical
issues with their children from an early age onward.
"Dinner
Table" conversations are a wonderful time to process such "neutral"
events as kids will be more open to share and discuss their opinions
with parents when the focus is away from them and on a subject that
they might have an opinion upon. The savy parent will
both respect their child's point of view, but also carefully teach
their children about worldly events based on their greater knowledge
given they have been around longer than their child.
Another important consideration is "how" the parent educates their
child given the child's developmental capacity to understand the
information presented. For example, for chilren under the age of 6,
discussions about politics, including the Inauguration
this week, must be explained in very simple and straightforward
language or the child will not co
mprehend what is going on. Telling them that we have a new President
and discussing with your children what he plans to do while in term is
a basic way to teach them both what a President does and how they can
help in the process of social change. As children get older, and have
some school discussions on such topics, the conversation can be a bit
more advanced. School-age children however, cannot think in the
abstract and are very centered on the here and now. Therefore, the
parent needs to keep such discussions about today and not tomorrow.
For
the adolescents, these conversation can be very entertaining and at
times frustrating for most adolescents have their own opinions, which
are often quite different than their parents. For example, it is not
unusual for a
n adolescent to affiliate themselves with the opposite political party
as their parents as a statement regarding their wishes for independence
and freedom of thought. This is actually a good sign as long as they
are not radical activists compromising their education and social
lives! As we know, over time, the bravado adolescent calms down and
usually by the second year of college or work, tend to identify back
with their parents if stability was effective in their upbringings.
It
is very important to make such conversations fun and interesting and it
is always a good idea to ask, even very young children, what they
think, for they will feel respected by you and this will forest a sense
of comfort in future discusions with you about their ideas and
opinions. Remember, and don't worry, children and adolescents are in a
state of flux and their ideas and perceptions will change over time.
Providing them with factual information however, helps them have a
platform however to allow their minds to think and better perceive the
world around them.
Key P
oints:
1. Discussing historical events with your children is more impactual than school.
2. Encourage their point
of view and opinions.
3. Dinnertime is a great opportunity to have such "neutral" discussions.
4. Remember that children perceive differently at different ages.
5. Don't worry if they take a different view from you - this will typically change over time.
6. Make political and historical conversations "fun" and use props.
Dr. Keith Kanner/ Morning Show Host
Your Family Matters
XETV Bay City Television
San Diego 6 N
ews
San Diego Living Show
8253 Ronson Road, San Diego 92111
ph (619) 261-2346/ (858) 756-3050
drkanner@sandiego6.com
