A No Politics Rule?

Recently I saw a statement in an online group proclaiming a “no politics rule” and while I understand the sentiment behind that statement, I would like to offer a different opinion. 

Instead of a no politics rule, we need to teach our children and many adults how to discuss politics in a civil manner.  People need to learn how to argue without resorting to name calling and defensiveness. We need to teach that having a difference of opinion is not a bad thing, and that we can actually learn from each other if we would just listen more.

The idea that we cannot or should not even discuss something that we might not agree on is not a healthy strategy, and likely this lack of ability to discuss politics in a civil manner has led to the degradation of political discussions that we are having today in our country.  

Now I do realize that many people hold strong opinions one way or the other, but to refuse to even talk to each other only makes the problem worse.  With the use of social media, people scream at total strangers online and hurl wild accusations at each other for holding differing opinions. Sadly this is not new. For as long as the United States has existed, Americans have argued about politics. It has only been recently that these arguments have turned so vicious.  

What is lacking is a basic education in how to argue and while I do realize that every parent reading this thinks their child is already proficient at arguing, there is a right way and a wrong way to argue.  We need to teach people how to use reasoned arguments with evidence that supports their assertions.  We also need to teach the use of language that does not incite, but rather focuses on the specifics of the argument.  Learning how to refute an opinion in a polite way can make all the difference.  

Young George Washington sat and copied by hand 110 rules for Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.  You can find these rules online or purchase a copy of this book.  After giggling at a few of the archaic rules about spitting and what the proper attire is in front of company, the majority of these rules are highly applicable to today. Teaching the basic rules of civility and teaching others how to respectfully argue with others might be a big improvement from where we are right now, and wouldn’t that be nice.  

rules for civility