Politics: Children & School

[StormRichards]

What age do you think is appropriate for kids to learn about politics in school?

This is a particular topic that has me a bit heated this week. My daughter is 12 years old. I think she is old enough to learn about the process, but it is a very impressionable age. In my opinion, teachers should take great care in not showing their bias in the classroom. I find it very upsetting that this election has been a daily topic at school, and her teachers are not holding back at all their views of the candidates.

My daughter is being "educated" about all of the blemishes of a particular candidate and hearing next to nothing negative about the other. I want her to learn in school. Not be manipulated.

[StormRichards]

So happy to bump this post to say that my DH and I had a very productive conversation with our daughter about this election. It was nice to see the light bulb turn on.

For the record, DH and I do not share the same political views. I think we both did a good job of discussing the issues without our personal bias.

I am glad we had the conversation tonight, but wish it wasn't forced by teachers filling her head with their bias.

[creditcardfree]

So happy to bump this post to say that my DH and I had a very productive conversation with our daughter about this election. It was nice to see the light bulb turn on.

For the record, DH and I do not share the same political views. I think we both did a good job of discussing the issues without our personal bias.

I am glad we had the conversation tonight, but wish it wasn't forced by teachers filling her head with their bias.

I think teachers are humans too, and just get passionate at times. I think they know they are impressionable too. I've heard my daughter (a junior in HS) mention teachers telling her classes their opinions...and they aren't even discussing politics as an educational topic.

My husband and I don't always agree politically, but I actually think this is good for kids to start thinking for themselves. We do discuss politics in a heated way, but we are usually not attacking each other, but the issues. And we are never mad at each other. It's true debating.

[StormRichards]

I think teachers are humans too, and just get passionate at times. I think they know they are impressionable too. I've heard my daughter (a junior in HS) mention teachers telling her classes their opinions...and they aren't even discussing politics as an educational topic.

My husband and I don't always agree politically, but I actually think this is good for kids to start thinking for themselves. We do discuss politics in a heated way, but we are usually not attacking each other, but the issues. And we are never mad at each other. It's true debating.

Thanks for the reply. Of all elections, this is one that I can understand teachers slipping up and talking about things in a way they shouldn't. There is plenty of anger and passion for this election.

But there is a big difference between a 6th grader an 11th grader.

My daughter asked about the dreaded WALL with a negative tone but had no idea about the drug related crime in the Mexican border states.

[Tabs]

I don't mind talking about politics with my kids for example, but I do not try to impress upon them of my personal political feelings. In fact, I think doing so is detrimental to their personal development.

Rather, I think the most important lesson I can impress upon them is learning to absorb the substantive information around them, and being able to critically analyze it to derive the most informed conclusion possible, to make the best life decisions possible.

When and where to do that? I don't know. Things like that just comes out and I think it can even be done when they are fairly young. You don't have to use big words. Sometimes, you can start by asking them, "What do you think?" and help hone their minds from there.

[StormRichards]

but I do not try to impress upon them of my personal political feelings. In fact, I think doing so is detrimental to their personal development.

I agree with this 100%!

[bjl584]

I don't think that children should be indoctrinated in public schools toward one political philosophy or another. The teachers have a captive audience and a great deal of influence over young, impressionable, and not yet fully developed brains. That is a great amount of power that they have indeed. And with that power should come responsibility. Teachers should remain as impartial as possible when it comes to political issues. Stick to facts and actual documented history. Children will form their own opinions as they grow and mature.

[msomnipotent]

I have been dealing with this problem with my 11 year old. Some of these opinions the teachers and students freely expressed are nothing but hate-filled rants. I told her to tell anyone, teacher or student, that talking politics in a non-political venue is considered extremely rude. If they continue to push, she is to say that whatever their personal opinion is, it is irrelevant to her since she is not voting and she doesn't want to hear it, but her mother is willing to talk to you if you really must continue to try to brainwash. So far, she has only had to tell two teachers that talking politics is impolite and they have stopped.

The kids are nuts. More than one said that they parents told them to punch any Trump supporters in the face. I really had to bite my tongue so I didn't tell her to say that she feels so very sorry for them and maybe their doctors can switch their parents' medication. I have a feeling she would actually say it. They continually harass one kid because he stupidly announced that his family is Republican. I told her to remember who is acting like a fool and stay away from them. It isn't because they are Dem or GOP, but because their parents lack the necessary skills to raise them properly. I raised my daughter to be polite but think for herself. I'm really disappointed that this election nonsense caused her to take a side, when kids this age should not even be thinking of politics. She has declared herself a Republican, but I think she is just anti-Democrat. All I can do is remind her that an open mind can always be changed. For the record, I am middle of the road and thought that every single candidate that ran was a poor choice to lead the country.