I grew up interested in politics.  And it has to come as no surprise when you consider I was born on the date of the very first televised presidential debate between Kennedy and Nixon. It was October 21st, 1960.  I just had to be a political animal with that birthday.

I remember very clearly sitting at the dinner table and listening to my parents discuss and cuss politics during the late 60’s and early 70’s.  The Vietnam War was going on then.  And of course there was the election of 1968. I was only 8, but I remember it clearly.  Then there was Watergate and the resigning of a president. Politics for the most part is not much different now as it was then.  The only thing that has changed are the names of the players.

Fathers, sons and politics

As you may remember from my first post here on Dad-o-Matic, I have 4 wonderful children. Four sons to be exact.  And they range in ages from the oldest who is 25 now and married.  The twins are 23 and my youngest is 15.  From as long as I can remember back in their childhoods, I have always encouraged them to discuss their own political views. And I always tried to not sway them to my way of thinking.  What I have always demanded from them was one thing. If you are going to take a position for either a conservative or liberal political view, educate yourself on the issues. Know what each side stands for by doing your own independent research and learning.  Don’t just read and listen to what the mainstream media has to say. But actually pick up a book, yes god forbid an actual book, and read what people have to say.

This election season has been interesting in the Griffiths household to say the least. My youngest is perfect of course and sees things the same way I do.  So does one of the twins.  The other twin, just looks at the TV and says what a bunch of crap.  You know, I think of the 4, he is probably the only one who actually gets it.  The oldest, sees things completely different then I do.  That does not upset me nearly as much as a statement he made a week or so ago. I asked him a question in an effort to get him to consider the issues and facts. And he simple said, “you know I don’t really watch the news and don’t really know what I am talking about or why I feel that way.”  I felt like I had failed as a parent. Not that he disagreed with me. But that he was an uninformed voter.  We discussed that very issue again and he promised he would do better.

I know my oldest has had a very busy year with graduating with his Masters. Getting married and moving to Florida. Getting settled into a new home and new life with his lovely bride. But, there is still that responsibility we all have, and that is to not just take a position and vote for the sake of voting. We have a responsibility to be educated voters.
There will always be disagreements in every household over politics.  And there will always be heated discussions.  But, keep them as discussions and not as a division between any of the members of your family.  If there is one thing I can leave all you fathers with on this subject. Encourage the discussion. But even more, encourage, no demand, that your children be informed. They will be better voters for it and the discussion will be so much better.