Voting is a Family Affair
Today, we’re one month away from the presidential election. So, I wanted to write about a topic that I haven’t heard much about, talking to your kids about voting and why it’s important. Since my kids were little, they’ve heard me and my husband discussing politics but probably didn’t fully understand it until the 2008 election of President Barack Obama. My sons were 10 and 6 when President Obama won his first presidential election. My husband and I made sure to let talk with them about the significance of President Obama winning, not just because of the election of the first Black president but the impact that his policies would make to our nation and to their future. But of course, we were excited about the election of the first Black president and first lady, Michelle Obama.
2016 was the first election that my oldest son was able to vote. I was shocked to learn that only 56% of eligible voters, voted in the 2016 election. Of those eligible voters in the 2016 election, 60% were Black voters. But the % of Black voters has been higher in other elections, the 2008 and 2012 elections, both won by President Barack Obama.
Today, both my sons are old enough to vote in this year’s presidential election. They’ve told me that they plan to vote and want to vote because this election is too important not to. I believe that they’re voting because of the model that my husband and I have established for them. We talk openly with them about our ideals, ideas, beliefs and values. We don’t always agree on issues and that’s okay. I want my children to have their own ideas and to be able to speak clearly about their views.
During our discussions, we touch on topics from the pandemics of COVID-19 and racial injustice, voter suppression, climate change, education and so much more. We watch the news and have strong debates about who’s right. They understand the legacy of the fight for the right to vote by Black people in this country and the means that many are using to try to suppress this right.
We work to teach them that even when it seems that their voices and votes don’t matter, they do. We believe the headline from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) article about voter suppression.
If your vote didn’t matter, they wouldn’t fight so hard to block it.
Here are some tips that I’ve used to help my sons understand the importance of voting and why their votes count.
Talk to your kids about the different political parties and what makes them different. Keep discussions age appropriate
Talk with your children about what political party you belong to and why. It’s important to share with them your views and values.
Talk to your children about why it’s important for you to vote at all levels: Presidential, State and Local elections.
Register to vote, if you haven’t. Tell your kids about what it was like to register.
Share stories with your kids about the first time you voted.
Be open to conversations about how sometimes your values and beliefs don’t always match you party’s platform and why you're either voting or not voting for the candidate.
Read books about the history of voting rights for Black people in this country
Watch movies and documentaries about voting.
Take your child with you when you vote in-person so that they can witness what it’s like to vote. If you vote via mail, show your child the ballot and the list of candidates and issues that you’re voting on.
Learn what age your child is eligible to register to vote and vote in your State.
Encourage you child to register to vote when when you take them to get their driver’s license.
Discuss whether you plan to vote in-person or by mail and why.
Involve them in your efforts to get out the vote.
Teach your kids about the candidates platforms and policies and discuss the pros and cons.
Vote! Your example of voting models for your children that it’s important and their voice matters.
As our kids first teachers, it’s important that we have conversations that are developmentally appropriate with our kids about why their vote matters and that we model for them the importance of exercising our right to vote and to fight against voter suppression.