Do We Have to Talk About Politics?
The next US Presidential Election is right around the corner. It is perhaps timely to talk about politics (yes, with our child)!
US politics is usually not a common discussion topic even among American teenagers, let alone international students. Where is the connection? What do political leaders have to do with me? Why should I care?
From an education perspective, politics can just be as educational or “useful” as any STEM subject. The sheer process of electing a leader or, more fundamentally, the very concept of democracy could be something quite foreign to an international student. How do US presidential elections work? And why are they designed that way? What are the core values behind American democracy? And how are those same values addressed in the student’s home country? These are often thought-provoking questions that can inspire a teenager to examine the very heart of humanity. While physical sciences address the hows, humanities focus more on the whats and whys. Both are equally relevant and “useful.”
Tips for Talking
Listen to the debates between the two sides and learn about the differences (and similarities) between their policies. What are the things that are important to each side? What problems are the two sides solving, and how are they solving them differently? What type of people support each side, and why? Regardless of the family’s political orientation(s), it is the process of coming together as a family to discuss what is important in life (values) and what type of society we want to live in (policies) that is most precious and beneficial. Through these discussions, we get to understand what is currently in the minds of our children, and we get to participate in shaping their values and character during this formative period of their lives.
From observing just how the two candidates give their speeches or debate against each other, one wouldn’t take long to conclude that in this world, leaders don’t often (need to) command the strongest technical skills. Many of those at the top are not necessarily the geniuses who could ace their AP Physics at the age of 14. The heart of American boarding has never been just about getting good grades. Any day school can do that. Boarding has always been about people, about handling people, or more precisely, about handling ourselves to handle people around us. If we can’t run a team, we can’t run an organization. American boarding is ultimately about developing leadership and, by extension, preparing our next generation for power.
Let’s talk politics!
2024.10.27
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