The article is very thoughtful. His kids are lucky to have a dad this firm in his convictions and also so considerate of their need to think things through for themselves.
My son turned 180 degrees and is now in the Proud Boys and is full bore supporting Trump. I asked him what it was that turned him around and he said it was the moment Trump said, “only Rosie O’Donnell”. . .He loved Trump’s big balls and the big honesty to tell it like it is regardless of what anyone thinks. Imagine that. . .I had been trying to convince my son for 30 years and Trump did it in one comment!! What a President!!
Have them get a job or two...they will become conservative. Also, homeschool them...
bkmk
Couple of steps anyone can take:
* Actively teach your values at all ages.
You cannot assume they’ll end up conservative if they only hear Sunday school (or other place of worship) and occasional lectures. Ask kids what they’re taught at school, the CNN news broadcasts and interpretations of news versus your beliefs and interpretations. And note that some private schools are doing Common Core and liberal political teachings even if theoretically conservative religiously.
* Build your tribe.
It is easier to reinforce your values if it is reinforced with others. Join youth groups, charitable endeavors and social groups where most people share your values. Then it isn’t a choice between family and broader society - things are reinforced by others who agree with you.
It has been very helpful for me to know that other parents we associated with agree with us on most issues, including matters of faith. Where we disagree, we can discuss it, and my kids learn how to argue their views and coping mechanisms from others in the same “group”.
Side benefit - the odds your kids’ dating partners will share your values so you don’t have to choose between liberal lover and conservative truth goes down.
* Don’t just send your kid off to the brand name college.
Check the colleges’ bias through something like FIRE’s free speech ratings. If they’re far left, don’t send your kid. Even if they’re neutral, don’t send your child to LIVE there. The more time they spend immersed in that culture, biased far left, the more likely they are to “convert”. Nor should you tolerate your child signing up for an easy liberal arts degree that turns them into an activist.
* Check what your alma matter is doing.
If your alma matter or the local college is soliciting money, again, see how biased they are. If they’ve gone far left, don’t give them money. And TELL THEM this is why you aren’t giving them money.
Good article.
My husband and I have always made it a point to take our children/grand-children with us when we vote any chance we get. They invariably have question during the process.
We’ve done our best to answer them w/o totally demonizing democrats (although that is difficult to do, as you know). We’ve tried to lay the groundwork so they will ultimately think for themselves.
Send him or her to Hillsdale.
I got an idea. Every able body person after high school graduation goes into Army or Marine BCT.
Problem solved.
5.56mm
I love this and his links! Good stuff. It is very true that winning through ideas, you can’t just go “Because I’m the parent” or ad hominem or insulting them because they haven’t been as long on the planet. It solidifies their rebellious strength.
They drink this stuff in at their schools, with their friends. Best to show them why you believe as you do. I was able to reach some people in the last election by “supporting” Bernie over Hillary. Sanders was honest and believed what he was saying, SOMEHOW. He is a genuine socialist and somehow missed how it fails every where it’s tried, but he isn’t a murderous criminal who owed his very soul to an international oligarchy. His spouse wasn’t a serial rapist.
His running against Trump would have been an honest* election between two widely diverging political viewpoints, and it would have been a discourse America really needs to be having. And Trump might have lost. But there are differing political opinions and it is good to expose oneself to them honestly and explain just why you don’t feel that way, as non judgmentally as you can (while judging your butt off inside).
*ok, the media would never have been honest, I know that
Great article. Thanks.
“The fact that you are asking and respect their opinion is half the battle won.”
True. My father won a major battle with me when we argued about whether Reagan should have fired the air traffic controllers. After I yelled for 20 minutes and he listened with a smile for 20 minutes, he showed me a book he was reading and asked me to read a chapter and get back to him. Victory. He felt like a role model and I had the chance to explain something to him.
This is a good source.
Just make sure you don’t give your kids to the indoctrination centers. You might have to sacrifice, but it will be worth it.