My Parents Never Told Me Who They Voted For.

Today we wake up and go to work like any other day. We will talk about the elections that took place yesterday. They’ll be people who will be ecstatic over the results, there will be people upset, but most will just go about their day, just like yesterday. That’s our reality, a single election doesn’t change our normal day to day life.

I grew up with educated, professional parents. They worked white collar jobs. They paid taxes. They cared about social issues and worshipped in their respective ways. My parents never really spoke about politics, or more likely, they did, but I was more interested in going outside and throwing and catching a ball, or riding my bike.

Some will say those were simpler times, but ‘those’ times were no simpler than these times. My parents still had to find ways to make ends meet, and still, try and provide a life for me that was better than the life they had, like we all do for our own families. I think those in an older generation would say those times were definitely more “civil”, and those who have modern views would probably call that naive.

I talk about politics a lot with my sons. I tease them about voting for who I vote for, but they know I support them in voting for whomever they want. I try to get them to understand that both sides are flawed. No one side is ever perfect, and much of how you lean depends on your place in life. I’m not sure it’s right or wrong, but I want them to make informed decisions.

What I try to get them to understand is the wisest people I know in every gender and race, see both the good and bad on both sides. They tend to be moderate in their beliefs no matter what they believe because they understand while I might believe very strongly about many policies and stances with one party, I might also believe in a policy or stance in another party. I remember that both sides are fundamentally flawed.

There is no winner or loser in an election. There are just all of us left needing and hoping for solid leadership in all aspects of our lives, not just one or two aspects. Hoping for a better world to live in, for all of us, not just some of us. Understanding that we come from different eras, different parts of the world, different backgrounds, and none of those are wrong, they’re just different.

Those differences are what make America great, and they are what makes America so very difficult to lead.

My parents never told who they voted for and I never asked them why. It probably had to do with a number of factors but the biggest being that as children we are very black and white in our decision making. One thing is good. One thing is bad. Politics are completely gray. So, I appreciate that they let me be a kid for a while longer. I love my country and all its flaws, and I’ll keep working to make it better.

4 thoughts on “My Parents Never Told Me Who They Voted For.

  1. My dad is a staunch Republican who votes strictly party lines; my mom ran for office (narrowly lost) as a Democrat. I agree and disagree with both of them on various issues and am grateful I was raised in a household that prioritized civil discussions and disagreements about things that matter. It really is all shades of gray – just like most aspects of adulthood. Thank you for doing your part to contribute to the next generation of informed and active voters!

  2. Tim,

    I grew up in a similar situation not knowing but had a pretty good idea. I was 18 my senior year and able to vote the first and a presidential election. To me it was a great privilege to have the opportunity.
    I hope yesterday was meaningful as well to the new voters.

    Thanks for sharing your story and thoughts.

  3. Son voted for the first time on Tuesday. Gave him an education that he doesn’t have to share his vote with anyone, including me. We talked about the issues, but I didn’t share who I was voting for.

    • I’ll totally share if they ask, and if it comes up in conversation I’ll share, but I’m not specifically telling them, especially beforehand. I know how my two older ones stand for the most part, so it’s kind of unsaid, but understood.

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