How to Talk Politics with Your Teen in Today's Charged Climate

In this episode, Dr. Cam Caswell and Lindsay Cormack discuss the challenges of engaging teens in political discussions, the decline of civics education, and the importance of fostering critical thinking and open dialogue. Lindsay, author of How to Raise a Citizen, shares her insights on how parents can guide their children through the complexities of political discourse and media literacy. They emphasize the importance of parents modeling engagement, curiosity, and empowering their teens to become informed, responsible citizens in today's fast-paced media environment.

 

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• How to effectively engage your teen in political discussions and build open dialogue.
• Why civics education has declined and how parents can fill the gap in teaching their teens about politics and civic responsibility.
• The importance of critical thinking in the digital age and how parents can help their teens navigate information overload.
• How media algorithms impact teens’ political views and how parents can help their teens see beyond echo chambers.
• Practical tips for encouraging curiosity and helping teens develop a deeper understanding of political issues.

 

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS FOR PARENTS OF TEENS

1. Engage in Political Conversations Early: Starting conversations with your teen about politics is essential for fostering critical thinking and helping them understand complex issues.

2. Civics Education is Crucial: Civics education has been declining in schools, but parents have the power to teach their teens about the importance of voting and civic participation.

3. Help Your Teen Navigate Information: Teens are bombarded with information on social media and news. By encouraging critical thinking, you can help them evaluate sources and form informed opinions.

4. Model Political Engagement: It’s essential for parents to model curiosity and engagement in political issues. Your teen will learn by watching how you approach important topics.

5. Practice Listening in Political Discussions: Active listening is a key component of meaningful political conversations. It’s important to not just talk but also to listen and understand your teen’s perspective

 

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RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

• Lindsay Cormack's book: How to Raise a Citizen
• How to Raise a Citizen: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Political Engagement

 

EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Navigating Political Conversations with Teens 02:29 The Decline of Civics Education in Schools 04:32 The Importance of Open Political Discussions 06:31 Building Critical Thinking Skills in Teens 10:08 The Role of Media Algorithms in Political Views 12:49 Encouraging Curiosity and Open Dialogue with Teens 15:54 Essential Knowledge for Young Citizens 18:14 Fostering Critical Thinking and Listening Skills in Teens 21:21 How Parents Can Empower Teens to Engage in Politics

 

CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Lindsay Cormack Website: www.howtoraiseacitizen.com Facebook: @lindsey.cormack Instagram: @howtoraiseacitizen LinkedIn: Lindsay Cormack X: @DCInbox

 

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST: Dr. Cam Caswell Website: AskDrCam.com Instagram: @DrCamCaswell TikTok: @the.teen.translator YouTube: Parenting Teens with Dr. Cam Facebook: @DrCamCaswell

 

FULL TRANSCRIPT

Dr. Cam (00:01) Have you ever tried talking politics with your teen only for it to spiral into a heated argument or leave you wondering where in the world are they even getting these ideas? It's frustrating when their opinions feel so different from your own and you may worry that they are heading down the wrong path. But no matter how hard you try to tuck reason into them, nothing seems to get through. This sounds familiar, you're not alone, and we are going to talk about that

I have Lindsay Cormack, an associate professor of political science with me today. An