By Pam Ness
Now that we are more than a month into 2016, it is nearly impossible to escape the deluge of politics in a presidential election year. The topic of politics has overtaken headlines, television news coverage, commercials, and social media. Debates between candidates are happening at frequent intervals, and many of us are formalizing our opinions on which political issues we value and which candidate aligns most closely with them.
It is very common to have different political leanings than members of our family, and these differences can feel pronounced between the generations. The old saying about avoiding topics of “sex, politics, and religion” to avoid conflict definitely carries some truth. However, being able to have authentic communication with our loved ones, even around charged topics, is important.
Here are a few suggestions for keeping things respectful when discussing politics:
- Focus on trying to understand another point of view
- Don’t try and convince someone to change their opinions.
- Listen respectfully, without interrupting or talking over each other.
- Avoid using negative labels or harsh language.
- Stay away from making judgements or sweeping generalizations.
- Agree to disagree.
Even if the discussion gets heated, try and remember that having different political affiliations does not have to be divisive. We are all individuals, and our unique life experiences contribute to the formation of our worldviews. When frustrated, it helps to remember that we are fortunate to live in a democracy where we have the ability and power to vote and make choices about our leadership.