What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

leahsmom — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:33:42 GMT

Well, of course, Mike - but you're the ONLY exception to that rule!

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

Bunny — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:29:06 GMT

I think the vehemence with which the kids express their partisanship has more to do with a kid's tendency to black-and-white-either-or thinking and go-team thinking than with any understanding of politics. This election has got people so riled up, and the political dialogue the kids are overhearing is so overheated and partisan, that it's no wonder that kids are getting a bit extreme about it.

I remember being in about fourth grade during the Bush/Dukakis election, and my entire family being very pro-Dukakis, and my dad took me to a rally and held me up so I could see Dukakis, and my sister and I named a Bush on our walk home "George Bush" in order to make fun of him. I couldn't tell you a think about the politics involved; we were just rooting for the same team as our folks. And it was fun!

Long story short, I think it's pretty harmless and rather cute. Pro-Obama kids will (hopefully) have some great memories about this campaign. And I'm particularly excited for all the kids who aren't white. Just thinking about what this election means for them and their future makes me a bit teary-eyed.

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

Mike Adamick (Cry It Out!) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:00:08 GMT

This is such a great experiment. And while I snorted out loud at Kaz's comment, I am in total agreement with leahsmom -- except for the fact that I'm always right, of course.

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

Kaz — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:35:53 GMT

Poor Nader kids...

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

Heather S. — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:06:12 GMT

I would like to see the results categorized by age of the children. I suspect that younger children were more likely to take candy from the other side, while older children were more likely to remain loyal. If this were true, then I don't really see a problem here. If this were true, then I think it's inspiring to see young people caring and feeling passionate. After all, their futures are at stake.

re: What Do You Do When Your Kid is an Extreme Partisan?

leahsmom — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:56:01 GMT

What does bother me is the idea of "clear villain." I may disagree with Senator McCain, and believe he's really lowered his standards in this campaign season. I may believe he's out of touch and his ideas will lead to America being worse off.

But he's a human being, a person. He served our country, much to his own personal detriment, in war; he's served it long in peace. He is doing what he thinks is right. I disagree with him, I dislike his tactics. But he's not a "clear villain." There are very few "clear villains." I respect him as a fellow human and will not demonize him for that reason - and I hope to raise my children to see things the same way. No one is ever completely right or completely wrong.