Finding Your Family's Views in the Political News: A Conversation on Politics, Parenting, and Perspective

In today’s increasingly polarized political landscape, it’s easy to fall into the trap of simplifying political figures, parties, and ideas into categories of "good" or "bad." As parents, how do we navigate this when political news, social media, and the ideas behind them begin to shape our children’s views? How can we help our families understand the political divides in a more thoughtful and nuanced way, especially when the world seems more divided than ever?

Molly Scott and Anne Miner, two parents and thinkers, recently shared their insights on how to approach political discussions within the family. Their focus? Helping children—and ourselves—better understand political news and the ideas behind it, rather than getting lost in a binary "heroes vs. villains" mentality. Here’s a look at their conversation, and the key takeaways for finding your family’s views in the political news.

The "Bad Man" Narrative: A Barrier to Understanding

Molly Scott begins by challenging the idea of labeling political figures as "bad guys." In a world where news often paints political figures as heroes or villains, she feels this framing limits the possibility of understanding the real issues at play. While she may disagree with certain actions or positions, she prefers to approach the discussion with empathy, rather than jumping to conclusions about someone's morality.

"I think a lot of people do what they do because they think it will bring them a better life," Molly explains. "It doesn’t make them evil. It makes them shortsighted or misinformed, but it doesn’t mean they’re villains like something out of a TV show."

For parents, this approach can be especially helpful when discussing political news with children. Rather than focusing on the personalities of political figures or reducing complex political issues to who is "good" and who is "bad," Molly encourages families to delve into the "why" behind political beliefs.

"You can’t fix a bad man. You can change opinions and ideas, but you can’t change a villain," Molly adds. "Instead, we should focus on addressing ideas and how to create better ones."

Navigating Political Content with Kids: Teaching Critical Thinking

Anne Miner shares her own experience as a parent trying to navigate the increasing exposure her children have to political content, especially through platforms like YouTube. When her kids began parroting views about political figures—specifically about Donald Trump—she was caught off guard and unsure of how to respond.

"Somehow something political got into my kids' YouTube and they know who Trump is. They keep saying he's a 'good man' or 'president.' I know it's because of whatever they watched before I caught them, and I just don't know how to impress on them...how do I open their eyes?" Anne says.

This is a common challenge for many parents today, as young people are often exposed to political content online, sometimes without context or critical reflection. Anne attempted to counter this by explaining her own voting decisions to her children, hoping to show them how to think critically about political choices and the ideas behind them.

"That was my attempt to show them why I voted the way I did," Anne says. "But it’s tough, especially when they’re exposed to these ideas without any real explanation."

While it may seem challenging, Anne’s approach emphasizes the importance of starting conversations early and helping kids understand that political ideas are often rooted in deeper concerns—whether about family, safety, or opportunity—rather than just personal preferences or beliefs.

Moving Beyond "Good vs. Bad" to Understanding Political Ideas

Both Molly and Anne emphasize that, when navigating political news and discussions with children, it’s crucial to move beyond simplistic labels. Instead of teaching children to see political figures as either "good" or "bad," they suggest focusing on the underlying ideas that drive people’s political choices.

Molly believes that both sides of the political spectrum have valid concerns, even if the solutions they propose may differ. For example, conservatives may argue for economic freedom and individual liberty as keys to prosperity, while progressives advocate for a more inclusive society where everyone has access to the good life.

"The side you disagree with has some good points," Molly points out. "They are trying to find safety and the good life for their family and themselves, and they see real barriers to that. So just arguing that they are ‘pure evil’ isn’t helpful."

Anne echoes this sentiment, noting that neither political party has fully addressed the needs of many people. "The Democrats' plan felt like, 'Okay, you get to keep what you already have,' and that wasn’t an inspiring message for many people."

This perspective helps children (and adults) understand that political ideas are shaped by real-world concerns and are not simply about good or bad people. By focusing on the ideas and not the personalities, families can foster more thoughtful discussions and encourage children to think critically about politics, rather than just following the news headlines or echoing what others say.

Fostering Empathy and Finding Broader Solutions

Ultimately, both Molly and Anne agree that the key to navigating political news with children—and in our own lives—is to focus on understanding the ideas, not the personalities or labels. By doing so, we can teach our children how to engage with complex issues thoughtfully, and with empathy for the concerns of others.

"I think the answer lies somewhere in combining the concerns from both sides, and finding new answers," Molly says. "Instead of digging in our heels over labels like 'good' or 'bad,' let’s try to understand why people believe what they believe, and how we can come up with new ideas that take into account what’s working—and what’s not—for everyone."

Anne adds, "Yeah, there’s room for discussion. The way we talk to our kids about this can shape how they approach problems in the future, not just politically but in their personal lives too."

Conclusion: Finding Your Family’s Views Through Understanding Ideas

In a world where political news can easily become a battleground of opposing moralities, it’s important for parents to guide their children away from simplistic narratives of "good" and "bad." Instead, we should help them explore the ideas behind political choices, teaching them to understand that people on both sides of the political spectrum often share the same ultimate goal—improving their lives and the lives of their families.

By fostering empathy, critical thinking, and curiosity about different perspectives, we can encourage our children to navigate the complexities of politics with an open mind and a compassionate heart. After all, the future will require not just agreement, but understanding, cooperation, and creative problem-solving—skills we can nurture from a young age.

What do you think?

How do you approach political discussions with your kids? Do you think focusing on the ideas behind political news, rather than labels like "good" and "bad," can help your family understand politics better? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!