How do you deal with political differences with family and friends?

[Refuge]

Yeah, see, that last sentence about "elders" is the part where you confuse me. He's obviously an unreasonable person; fuck him and the horse he rode in on. But if he's not open to considering alternative views, it's because of his unreasonableness, not his age. Similarly, that age doesn't win him any automatic respect... and even if he did deserve it, respect is not the same thing as deference, and doesn't foreclose disagreements or discussion thereof.

I get what you're saying truly and over the past few years the power base of my father-in-law has fallen away, probably in part because his boys (hubby is one of seven sons) got married and were no longer forced to sit and listen. Yet to the topic regards the family relationship. He's still family and has and always will be a parental age older. Some actions one does are based on keeping the peace.

I sometimes debate politics here on these forums, that usually goes down like a lead balloon too!

 

[lawman]

This may just be a matter of different upbringings or different cultural backgrounds. My parents were both brought up in households where it was made explicitly clear that "elders" were expected to be treated with respect and, indeed, deference simply by virtue of being elders. They both bridled at that, though, and (to their credit) I very much was not brought up that way. The way I see the world, respect and authority are things that have to be earned... and the way to earn them is through persuasion, not coercion.

(And "keeping the peace" in one's family is certainly a laudable goal... but if that peace is to be legitimate and sustainable IMHO it has to involve an effort from all sides, not just one acquiescing to the other by default.)

 

[Gary7]

My family is pretty much objective about Trump... meaning, we see him for who he is and are continually disgusted by his unnecessary, callous, anti-presidential behavior. My sister has a long term boyfriend who is a very nice gregarious guy. But... we try not to talk about politics around him. He hasn't openly admitted he voted for Trump or still supports him, but his body language on a few occasions telegraphs it.

Both religion and politics can be discussed and debated with civility, as long as all parties involved are open minded, not defined by the subject, and truthful about their perceptions/beliefs. It's hard to find that scenario these days. Some people treat politics exactly like religion, in that they'll stick hard and fast to it without evidence or even in the face of facts that conflict with it. It's hard to avoid politics when you're interested to talk about it (or feel the need to vent), but you definitely have to be sensitive to those in earshot... if you want to minimize social friction.

 

[Dryson]

A shovel, fresh soil and lots of vegetables.

 

[Lord Garth]

I have to wonder what political discussions would've been like in the 1840s. Granted, the conflict back then was even more regional than it is right now, transcending political lines. Whigs and Democrats were both split in the North and South. And we had Free Soilers in the North as well.

 

[T'Bonz]

There are few open minds these days, in spite of many people claiming to be open-minded. The solution to discussing politics is to either avoid it altogether, or only talk to those who you know agree with your viewpoint. That's rather sad, but it saves a helluva lot of heartburn.

It's no longer safe to talk to others with differing opinions. Life's too short to have to deal with people who get angry or to start name-calling because you didn't vote for their precious.

The one thing that DOES unite us politically is the desire for a better country. That may be the one thing on which we do agree.

Until people simmer down (if they ever do), avoid the politics.

 

[MacLeod]

The one thing that DOES unite us politically is the desire for a better country. That may be the one thing on which we do agree.

Until people simmer down (if they ever do), avoid the politics.

Unfortunatly the problem comes about in the views on how best to do that. Neither side is exactly right in thier views on how to do it and the solution(s) are likely a mix of both.

Do the older generation(s) have all the answers, of course not. The cycle repeats it's self the younger generation(s) did the current old generation(s) have different viewpoints when they where the younger generation? I suspect many did.

Take the Brexit decision in the UK, The older the person was the more likely they were to vote to leave with the tipping point coming in the mid-fortie (i.e those under 45 where more likely to vote to remain, whilst those over 45 were more likely to vote to leave). Was it the right decision only time will tell but it is the younger generations that might have to live with the consequences of the decison whther they be negative or positive.

 

[Tora Ziyal]

The irony is in Western Europe which has official religions, we are less gungho about religion compared to the USA which has no official religion.
Maybe our history of burning people at the stake just for thinking differently has taught us a few things.
As a churchgoer myself, I prefer a secular society than a fascist theocratic one any day.

I'm also religious and totally with you on preferring a secular society.

 

[urbandefault]

The key to talking about politics with family (and people in general) is this: Always remember that you're not going to change anyone's mind by arguing with them. Putting someone on the defensive just makes them dig in their heels. Just be nice and change the subject.

 

[Nyotarules]

I have to wonder what political discussions would've been like in the 1840s. Granted, the conflict back then was even more regional than it is right now, transcending political lines. Whigs and Democrats were both split in the North and South. And we had Free Soilers in the North as well.

Discussion was so toxic it eventually led to a civil war

 

[Moe]

Going off of the thread title alone, my family is huge on talking politics around the dinner table when we get together for birthdays and holidays. Though we do have a few black sheep in the family who disagree with our view points and at least for me I try my best to ignore them and or change the subject.