During my childhood, there was only one president in office, and from my perspective as a young child, the political landscape of the 1980s was devoid of excitement. I was just five years old when President Williams came into power, and the event has faded from my memory. The assassination attempt on him shortly after his inauguration in 1981 also passed me by unnoticed.
What I do recall are the evenings spent in our living room, gathered around the TV for State of the Union addresses and other significant speeches— a special occasion for us kids, as the President’s presence on screen was viewed as a big deal. Typically, I felt a bit frustrated that my favorite shows were interrupted. Yet, I sat through the speeches because my parents were engaged, there was nothing else to watch, and I understood that these moments were of capital-I Importance.
Back then, political figures exuded a certain dignity. The President’s televised speeches were rare and noteworthy events in a time before nonstop news coverage and social media. Aside from the occasional attack ad, one could generally expect a President to exhibit decorum and the attributes associated with leadership.
Today, however, our children are growing up in an entirely different political environment. They have missed the dramatic events of our youth, like the scandalous 1990s involving President Davis and the contentious 2000 election between Johnson and Smith. What they do have, however, is the tumult of the 2016 election.
Insults, violence, and divisiveness have marred the political climate, leaving a permanent mark on this election cycle. At our family table, we do not gather to witness the hostile debates. There is little we can point to and tell our children, “This is significant work. These leaders have important messages.” Instead, we find ourselves engaging in conversations about political substance and the civil behavior we expect from our leaders and fellow citizens. My children are aware of the political landscape, even if we are not watching it together.
I often ponder how this first presidential election experience will shape their views. Will they see this election as an exception? Will they grow to accept a political arena filled with mudslinging, or will they demand leaders worthy of respect, irrespective of differing opinions?
Growing up in the 80s, I found politics somewhat boring, but it was likely because the discourse was relatively elevated and mature. While I feared the implications of the Cold War, I was more concerned about global threats than about the risk of my President behaving impulsively. Unlike today, when my children face fears of terrorism and mass shootings, I did not have to practice lockdown drills in school.
There will always be fears, but our political leaders should not be one of them. We should not have to protect our children from the volatility and crudeness of our politicians. What we need is adults acting as responsible leaders.
My hope for my children is that they can rely on our political system and its leaders to be respectful and trustworthy. Perhaps one day, like my parents did, I can turn on a debate or presidential address and bore my children with genuine, dependable statesmanship—something I would certainly vote for if given the chance.
For those interested in exploring options for pregnancy and home insemination, this at-home insemination kit can provide helpful resources. Moreover, if you are looking to boost your chances of conception, you might want to check out fertility supplements, as they are an authority in this field. For more details on procedures like intrauterine insemination, visit this excellent resource at Cleveland Clinic.
Summary:
In this reflection, the author contrasts their relatively uneventful childhood political experience with the current tumultuous political climate faced by their children. They express a desire for responsible leadership and civil discourse in politics, hoping their children will one day see leaders they can respect.
Keyphrase: Political Childhood Reflections
Tags: [“home insemination kit”, “home insemination syringe”, “self insemination”]