How to Talk to Your Children About Politics, Abortion and America’s Future
Cormack: Political discussions with kids may be difficult, but they're important. 3 strategies for making them more meaningful during election season.
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In 2022, the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision overturned Roe v. Wade, thrusting parents into conversations with their children about one of the most controversial topics in American life: abortion. My daughter, then 10 years old and unfamiliar with the topic but exposed to the media frenzy, asked, “What is an abortion?”
When I was growing up, a question like this would have been deflected with, “I’ll tell you when you’re older.” But with the internet at nearly every child’s fingertips, vague answers won’t suffice anymore. Kids are curious, and if their parents don’t provide answers, a query to Alexa or a Google search will.
I explained the basics of pregnancy, which she already understood, and described abortion as a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. We discussed the spectrum of beliefs on when, if ever, abortion is acceptable, and compared the laws in our home state of New York with those in Mississippi, where abortion access has been severely restricted. This led to a discussion of federalism, which I broke down in terms she could grasp: how states can set different laws based on local political opinions and lawmakers.
My goal wasn’t to push my own views, but to give her the tools to think critically about the issue. Like so many other moments in parenting, this conversation wasn’t about giving her the “right” answer — it was about guiding her to ask questions and take a broad look at things.
Talking about abortion, or any political topic, is daunting. But with at least 10 states putting abortion measures on the ballot in the 2024 elections, and with the presidential and vice presidential candidates being asked about the issue in multiple forums, kids will inevitably encounter these terms and concepts.
In today’s polarized climate, parents often feel ill-equipped to navigate these weighty subjects with their children, so they simply choose not do. But these discussions are too important to avoid. The responsibility of raising informed, engaged citizens falls on the family.
Parents shape how their children perceive politics. While schools might cover civics basics, conversations at home are where kids truly start to understand and navigate the wider world around them. It’s where they learn that politics isn’t just something shown on TV or happening in Washington, D.C. — it affects their lives and futures. And parents get only four — or fewer — presidential elections to focus on how high-stakes political discussions ought to look before their kids reach voting age.
Here are three strategies for making political discussions with kids more meaningful during election season:
First, recognize your role. Children look to their parents to make sense of the world, politics included. Families are their first teachers — not because they have all the answers, but because they can model the importance of coming together to explore questions about government and politics. If kids see their parents avoiding political topics because they’re uncomfortable, they’ll likely shy away from them too. But by approaching these subjects with curiosity, children will learn to question, debate and seek out different perspectives. These skills will serve them not only in their civic engagement, but in all areas of life.
Second, restrain your negativity. It’s easy for parents, or anyone, to slip into negativity, especially when discussing politicians they don’t like. But constantly disparaging politics or government can shrink children’s desire to engage with civic life. If all they hear is how broken the system is, why get involved? Instead, model productive political discourse — teaching them to disagree respectfully and value different perspectives.
Third, humanize government. Don’t let politics become an abstract thing: Introduce your kids to the people who represent them, whether it’s by attending a local event or writing a letter to an elected official. Show them that politicians are accessible and that their work has a direct impact on their constituents’ lives. These interactions help kids see government not as a distant, faceless entity, but as real people working (or sometimes failing) to solve problems.
It is the job of parents to help kids understand politics is part of life. Navigating these conversations is necessary for raising children prepared to shape a better political climate. So, when your child asks, “What is an abortion?” or “Why are you voting?” — don’t brush it off. Don’t assume they’re too young. Welcome the conversation. It might be challenging, but it’s a necessary step in raising the next generation of engaged citizens. They are the ones who will inherit American democracy; make sure they’re prepared to lead it toward a brighter future.
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Lindsey Cormack is the author of "How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It)." She is an associate professor of political science and director of the Diplomacy Lab at Stevens Institute of Technology.
