Distraught about college son who’s happy about Trump

[Anonymous]

Maybe he’s shocked and embarrassed about how judgy his mother is, and wanting to be nothing like her. FWIW I considered myself exactly down the middle politically until I realized how absolutely horrible the left was towards people who didn’t agree with them, and then decided I’m conservative after all. I also think there’s value to the point above about DEI hurting white men. If certain people get positions who weren’t getting them before, other people aren’t getting those positions who weren’t getting them before. It’s quite simple. So because of that he’s voting for his own interests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again - not a troll. Just a sad mom struggling to reconcile the way we raised our son with the political direction he’s taken.

Sorry to hear and thanks for answering the questions. On the other end of the age scale, I am a boomer and 2 of my brothers who were hippies when they were in college turned into Trumpers. It is so gross. We pretty much stopped having get togethers because I cannot stand their racism. We weren't raised like that.

[Anonymous]

^ argh weren’t/were. Hopefully you understand despite the typos.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I feel sorry for your son that he has such close minded parents, and that you judge their own son and are even embarrassed by him based on political ideology. This exemplifies how pathetic things have become. If this isn't a troll, you need to think seriously about how you are living your life.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP: what kind of responses do you want here?

You can tell your kid what to think, but that won't end well. Or you can accept that he has views that are different from yours. You can still love him without loving his political views.

[Anonymous]

He'll learn. I was a very conservative Reaganite in the 80's, but then I got out in the world and changed my views.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. You will regret pushing your son away if you shun him for his political views. The world is slowly shifting.

[Anonymous]

Op, nothing to add, but I feel for you. I would feel like a failure if one of my kids became a Trump supporter. Hopefully he will get over it soon.

[Anonymous]

You don’t have to tell people anything. It’s no one’s business who your son votes for. I think what’s heartbreaking for you is that you cannot talk about politics as much as you’re used to. That’s what you are grieving, the reduction of bringing politics into most discussions.

Your identity is tied too much into your political party. Maybe this is a sign that you should change that.

[Anonymous]

Pull your financial support.

Tell him he is on his own to pay for college.

[Anonymous]

This is a joke right?

[Anonymous]

He’s a free thinker. He probably has some views that are progressive as well.

[Anonymous]

Are you paying for school? I would probably tell him to pull himself up by his bootstraps like a good little GOPer and pay his own way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He'll learn. I was a very conservative Reaganite in the 80's, but then I got out in the world and changed my views.

That is very different from supporting Trump.

[Anonymous]

OP, is there racism or misogyny underlying his views? If yes, I think you need to be prepared to counter that or let him know that racism/misogyny isn’t acceptable in your home.

If it’s jealousy that others are better then him or receive opportunities he doesn’t deserve (which I think is a far more common reason Trump supporters go on about woke/DEI), point out the support he’s provided by you throughout his life.

In other words, don’t attack his political views. Address the underlying issues that cause him to have these political views.