by Abby Korinek
Blog represents opinions from the author.
“Never discuss politics or religion in polite company,” the saying goes. This quip has been central to holiday dinners for years, but as the U. S. has continued to become more polarized, more and more people find it difficult to follow this rule with their families.
Although some may find like-minded thinkers in their family circles, most have seen some challenge in discussing politics with their relatives.
Jenna Hynek, a May 2020 graduate from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, said she has found this especially true in 2020.
“This election has been incredibly polarizing for me and some family members,” Hynek said. “I come from a family that is heavily Republican and so being one of a handful of Democrats is hard. I do my best to not let their political views hinder my relationship with them, but at a certain point you can’t help but start to think of them differently.”
Hynek said her family has stopped all conversations about politics because the conversations eventually devolve to an attack from one side to the other. This is a common feeling across the country.
In 2016, guests and hosts with opposing political views spent 30 to 50 fewer minutes at Thanksgiving dinner than those with similar views, a 2018 study from Science magazine found.
Although her immediate family members have the same party affiliation as her, Sam Cheney of Omaha, said she has experienced the desire to avoid relatives.
“There are family members that I actively avoid or feel very uncomfortable around,” Cheney said.
“However, I have gotten closer to those family members that share my political opinion while talking about fights we have gotten in with those who don’t’ share our opinions. I also avoid conversations with family members I have differing opinions with in an effort to somewhat preserve those relationships.”
So, what are you supposed to do when politics inevitably comes up in conversation? Psychology Today has some simple advice: Learn to stop, take a breath and then approach the situation with kindness. Respect for the opinions of others, as well as your relationships with them, is a valuable skill these days.
