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How to Raise a Future Voter
silver spoons: discussing the election with kids canada
(Apr.25.11)
On Monday, May 2, we all have a choice to make. Are you going to vote or sit this one out? While there's no question that as a nation we're all a bit sick of elections and feel a bit uninspired by the offerings, whether we vote or not sends a message to our kids. Youth votership is at an all-time low and personally, I'd like to see that trend reversed in the future.
Undecided? Some friends of mine developed a social media movement called #momthevote on Twitter and Facebook to specifically engage parents and discuss family issues pertaining to the 41st election. I was lurking for a while, but have waded in and am enjoying talking to parents across the country with different views and lifestyles to understand the issues and our diversity.
One of the subjects frequently being brought up, is how to encourage the youth vote. It's something I've been thinking about a lot. So what can you do to raise a future voter, one that is politically engaged and informed? Here's what parents shared with me on Facebook (mixed in with my own two cents).
Take your kids to the polls. I have gone behind the voting screen with a baby in a Bjorn on my chest. We make election night about taking a family walk, then line-up together, say hello to our neighbours and reinforce that feeling of community. Ask the poll clerk if your child can be beside you while you vote. This is such a powerful image for kids.
Talk about the leaders and the parties. "For local, provincial and federal we always discuss the candidates in terms of what they 'stand for' and what values we share," says my friend Kevin Durkee. Try to be non-partisan while telling them the names of the leaders and loosely explaining what he or she is about. Kids will often have opinions based on the faces of the leaders, which is funny, because sometimes I think that's how adults vote too.
Explain the voting process in simple terms. It's about making a choice. It's also our civic duty, a right that many people didn't always have. "We explain that it's our duty/right to vote and care about those that "should" care for us," says Kevin.
Talk about the issues without getting heated. "Explain the issues, try to be neutral, but of course you have a right to explain your views and reasons for them," suggests grandmother, Lorna Ross. "Kids are so smart, give them a chance and they will make you so proud."
Don't just limit conversations to election time. "We talk about political issues at the dinner table 365 days a year," says political activist and parenting expert Ann Douglas. "You can't just speak about important issues during election time. You have to keep kids interested and engaged all the time. Of course, there are times when my youngest says, 'Can't we have ONE DINNER without talking about politics?' But if I don't say anything about politics at a meal, he does. Seriously."
Encourage kids over age 16 to work at a polling station. At age 19, I spent one 14-hour day registering voters, passing them their ballots and tallying the count at the end of the night. It gave me such a profound respect for our electoral system and for democracy in general. For more information, visit Elections.ca.
Lead by example. I think it's safe to say that children who see their parents politically active year-round will absorb some of that civic-mindedness. "My daughter is 12 and besides taking her to the polls with me her whole life, I have also taken her to local town hall meetings, lots of protests and demonstrations, and she has seen me serve on our school board and been a fly on the wall ...for many politically charged discussions between friends and family," explains Lorna Ross's daughter, Jen Green. "We talk about the role of government in our lives quite frequently, and about how lucky we are to be living in Canada."
"My father was always a campaign manager, so I spent my childhood hanging out at HQ and delivering flyers :) That worked," says Julie Cole of Mabel's Labels.
"I think action speaks louder than words," says Astrid Kendrick before adding, "Although, that said, my landed immigrant mother who has never voted in a Canadian election (as she isn't allowed) has pretty much demanded that her four children vote at every election. Any time I've considered not voting, I feel like I'm letting her down."
Other resources:
Marla Good reads Leika Singh's Making of an Activist (about young activist and philanthropist Craig Kielburger) with her daughter.
Vicky Smallman recommends Equal Voice's Take a Girl to Vote campaign.
Kate Sanagan suggests Teach Kids News's "Your Political Primer to the Canadian Election" written just for kids.
I also found this great info from Elections Nova Scotia that offers talking points according to age group.
What are your tips for raising a voter? How do you discuss the election in your house?