How to get teen son to stop disrespecting the President?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would tell your son he is entitled to his own opinions but that political conversation is too heated and divisive for the dinner table. Political conversation is not even permitted where I work. People have to get along and be productive regardless of their political views.

It's also possible for him to learn how to communicate his political views in a respectful way that doesn't insult others, something I always admired about #44. Sarcasm and name calling often turns conversation into divisive, emotional arguments.

This is exactly what I would tell him. It doesn’t make for “polite” conversation at the dinner table or at work. But aside from that, I would actually be proud that your son is taking an interest in politics and that he sees Trump for the train wreck that he is.

[Anonymous]

He's most likely absorbing this attitude from his teachers.

I'm a teacher who didn't vote for Trump, but I find myself repeatedly reminding students that they are in an environment (school) in which the majority of adults did NOT vote for Trump, so they should be very careful about confusing the loudest and most dominant rhetoric for truth. Sometimes I even find myself defending Trump, just for the sake of teaching students to explore and research issues on their own before blindly accepting and parroting what their teachers tell them.

College Board expects to see deeper analysis of argument on the AP English Language and Comp exam than simple echoing of the only argument one has read/seen. Trump offers a teachable moment, people: make your kids back up every assertion with reference to facts.

[Anonymous]

Have him channel it into positive action, like writing letters to the editor or a guest editorial for his school newspaper or by doing campaign work for a candidate he supports. Tell him that constant trash talking is upsetting to family/guests and is not permissible, but he has a right to his feelings, which are shared by many.

[Anonymous]

OP Here-

Thanks for all the opinions! I can't reply to all, but I will try to hit the big points.

I love the idea of getting him involved in local politics. Me and DH have volunteered with the Maryland Republican campaigns in the past quite a bit so I will reach out to them. I think not only will it teach him Civic responsibility, it may help him see the positive side of the current political climate and how while Trump may not emphasize our family's conservative leanings, he is allowing those in Congress fix many of the issues left after a decade of Liberal control.

While I understand how brash and immature Trump comes across by - and find him personally disgusting - I think it is important to recognise his office. He won the election as much as I (who voted for Johnson - first non-republican vote of my life) or my family may dislike it.

[jsteele]

This is probably a good opportunity to lock this thread before it gets even more political.