Coming From A Politically Split Household

Before I even get started with this article, I want to make the disclaimer that I am not here to talk down any party, or opinion. Every single person in this country has the right to believe in what they want to believe in, and no matter how messy politics can get, I wholeheartedly stand behind that.

Moving forward, as I’m sure you’ve figured out by that short disclaimer and the title of this piece, I’m going to be talking about the election we are having in less than three months. Specifically, I want to talk about it from the perspective of anyone who comes from a split household. Now I know there are plenty of people out there where this will be the first election you are able to vote in, and what an election to start off with may I say. Our first contribution will be a part of what seems to be the craziest election this country has ever seen. For some U.S citizens, who they are voting for is a no brainer. Lots of people have swung one way, and I’ll be the first to admit I sometimes wish that’s how it was for me. But I grew up hearing both sides of the coin, and I know I’m not the only one.

I get an instant headache anytime someone tries to talk to me about politics. It’s not that I don’t care, I just always feel like I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. Politics are a sore subject in split households. Bickering tends to begin, and let’s be real, no one ever likes a political fight. How can you contribute to a conversation like that without sounding like your siding with one parent over the other? Some of you are probably thinking, “Well it’s your right to believe what you want, so why does it matter?”

These are your parents.

Not two strangers, not your friends but the people who raised you. It’s hard to even start explaining the dance you do with this. If you are like me and don’t have a strong opinion, you constantly feel like you are playing with fire, trying not to disappoint anyone with your standpoints. If you don’t say anything that means you can’t offend anyone, right?

I know I can’t speak for everyone who has grown up in a split household, but in my personal opinion what I struggle with the most is the teaming up. When people get cocky and say things that aren’t respectful to the others that might not agree with what you believe. The sad reality is, things like this are the reason I have no desire to be a part of this country’s politics. I understand though how much of a privilege it is for me to be able to vote for our leader, so I will be taking it upon myself to do the research and decide who will get my vote this November. I recommend to anyone else out there who has come from a split family and is struggling, to block out the separate opinions and find your own. Don’t tell a soul what your conclusions may be, because they are your opinions to have, and that is the biggest lesson I’ve learned coming from a split household.