How to Talk Politics with Your Kids

A Jewish Perspective

How bad is it to call a presidential candidate an "idiot," especially in front of your kids? In this heated election season, it's natural to discuss the candidates with your spouse or partner, root for one candidate over another and maybe even argue on what qualities make a good leader of our country. And chances are that your kids are taking this all in and adopting your political viewpoint.

If you're looking for a guide to how to discuss the candidates when your children are around, turn to something that that can direct you through most everything else you do in your life: Jewish values.

"Judaism tells us how we should live. As far as discussing the election, I see it no differently than I would discussing anything else in life,"says Rabbi Susan Fendrick, editor and consultant in Newton, Massachusetts.

Watch Your Words

There is a reason that people suggest skipping politics as the basis for small talk. It can get explosive. "But there is a distinction between criticizing a candidate and speaking about him or her in an extremely derogatory way," says Rabbi Fendrick, mother of two and stepmother of three.

Jewish tradition requires us to speak of others with kavod--with respect, says Rabbi Fendrick. "When we call someone an offensive name, thus speaking without kavod, we bring dishonor not only to the person we have targeted, but also dishonor to ourselves as individuals."

On the other hand, that does not mean we should avoid speaking passionately about our country and the potential leadership for it. Jewish tradition places a great emphasis on the power of speech. According to the Torah, the world was created with speech. Jewish tradition encourages us to speak up when we don't like what is going in our society, says the rabbi. It is a mitzvah (good deed) to get involved in social issues and work to change things even by the simple act of voting. "We involve our children when we explain to them why we feel that certain things in our country are going the wrong way," says Rabbi Fendrick.