So the other day my step-son, “N”, says “I don’t think I would vote for ‘Candidate X’ because there are a lot of ads on TV that say he is a bad person.” Now N is only 9, mind you, so he isn’t going to be voting anytime soon, but his statement got me to thinking about what politics are really teaching our children.
With the election only a week away, the number of political ads on the TV, internet, and radio has increased substantially. The majority of these ads are criticizing the other candidate. The ads not only attach the opponent’s political record, but also dig into the opponents’ personal life.
I am not saying that I condone the actions of candidates who cheat on their spouses, don’t pay taxes, or any number of things that are brought up in these attack ads. However, I do feel that all these ads are teaching our kids is that by cutting down the other person, by whatever means necessary.
We have seen an increase in programs in schools that teach children to stand on their own merits and not to bully other children, but it seems as if these ads are saying that while it is not ok to bully in schools, for adults who are running for public office it is ok. It seems like a double standard.
What I would like to see (and maybe this is wishful thinking on my part) is for political ads to not cut down the opponent, but to highlight the good things that a candidate has done. I would much rather vote for someone because of his/her accomplishments instead of voting for that candidate just he/she trashes the other candidate.
This election season, let’s teach our kids to respect one another, even if it is an adversary, by cutting others down we are only making ourselves look insecure. Teach them to stand on their own merits instead of the failures of someone else.
Of course, N still has 9 years before he will be stepping into a voting booth, and we can only hope that by then the political scene will have changed, but in the meantime we as parents need to teach our children that just like in school, bullying is not acceptable anywhere — even in politics. Because, this generation we are raising will be our future.
How are you teaching your children to fight fair?
