If the old adage of never discuss politics or religion in intimate circles holds true, this election may have provided the perfect time to follow it.
Area parents said the intense and often controversial tone of this year’s campaign has changed their comfort level in discussing politics either in front of or with their children.
Susan & Joe Piscopo think their grandkids have already made up their minds in school. No use going over the election with them. #beltwaynews pic.twitter.com/iDut5cgj3P
— Samannaz RManesh (@Samannaz_R) November 8, 2016
Erin Sullivan and her wife, Gretchen Randolph, have a unique family political dynamic. Sullivan is a longtime Republican and Randolph is a Democrat.
Randolph is running for a local Advisory Neighborhood seat. They’ve adopted three children, and Donald Trump’s opposition to same-sex marriage and strong opinions on immigration translates to Sullivan feeling she is being pushed the left.
She had hoped to avoid speaking about politics with their three adopted children, Manny, Donny and Karen, but can’t avoid the topic no matter how hard she tries, she said.
“Well, our 4-year-old (Donny) knows his mother is running for an ANC seat, so he says, ‘Go, Mommy’ every time he sees a Randolph sign and ‘Boo’ when he sees the opponent’s poster. We try not to talk about the presidential candidates but my oldest always says, ‘Trump is a bozo.’ ”
The Randolph-Sullivan family kids feel more connected to the election as their mom runs for ANC seat. #beltwaynews #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/ZS6Hp8bkhl
— Samannaz RManesh (@Samannaz_R) November 8, 2016
The couple did give credit to local schools saying their civics classes do an excellent job of explaining the electoral process and getting students to discuss national issues.
Erin Smith from Ellicott City, Maryland, said this campaign has changed everything. She took her now 15 year-old son to the polling station during the previous two elections, but not this time around, especially with her seven year old daughter in tow.
“I wouldn’t want either of my children, particularly Lucy, hearing what is said about the candidates, by the candidates themselves and other voters. He [Trump] turned everything into an R-rated movie.”
However, as adolescents approach and even cross the voting threshold, talk of Trump and Clinton seems unavoidable.
Olivia De Pandi, 19, voted for the first time today. She said her friends at the University of Maryland don’t speak about politics that much but it’s an issue that inevitably comes up more around adults. But she’s learning, especially from watching her parents navigate the topic, when not to bring it up at all.
"This election is not good for young kids and I don't think they need to know about mud sliding," says Nicolo De Pandi #Elections2016 pic.twitter.com/WOwvwUimIZ
— Samannaz RManesh (@Samannaz_R) November 8, 2016
And Nicolo De Pandi, Olivia’s mom, said politics can sometimes be a social deal-breaker.
“I know what friends I can speak with and which ones to avoid. There are families we have literally had to cut out of our lives because they get so emotional. And the ones we can’t, I end up making several trips to the bathroom during dinner to avoid confrontation,” she said.
Mira Jackson, a poll worker, has three children, two of whom are voting age. She has been less vocal this election than in previous ones.
“I’ve learned that it’s not my right to preach,” she said. “My kids are old enough to make decisions for themselves, and all I really do is ask them to try to identify what issues are important to them. Each generation has its own priorities.”
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