My formative years were defined by a single president, and from my elementary school perspective, the political landscape of the 1980s lacked any real excitement. I was just five when President Thomas was elected, and the event itself escaped my memory. I also have no recollection of the assassination attempt that occurred shortly after his inauguration in early 1981.
What I do remember is gathering around our living room TV for State of the Union addresses and other important speeches. It was a special occasion; my parents would say, “Kids, the President is on!” I often felt frustrated that my favorite shows were interrupted, yet I tuned in because my parents were engaged, there was little else on, and I instinctively understood that this moment held significance.
In those days, political figures carried a sense of dignity. The President’s televised appearances were noteworthy events, especially in an era devoid of round-the-clock news coverage and social media. Apart from the occasional attack ad, one could reasonably expect a President to behave with decorum and seriousness.
Today, however, our children are navigating a vastly different political reality. They have not lived through the gripping moments of our young adulthood, such as the sensational Clinton scandal of the 1990s or the dramatic Bush-Gore election in 2000. Instead, they face the chaotic political drama of 2016, filled with insults, violence, and a pervasive culture of divisiveness that has marred the electoral process. In our home, we refrain from inviting our children to witness the contentious debates. There is little occurring in this campaign that signals to us that we should pause and convey to our children, “This is important work. These are leaders with valuable insights.” Instead, we find ourselves gathered around the dinner table, with the TV off, discussing not just political issues but also the fundamental civility we expect from ourselves and our leaders. My children are aware of the political climate, which is essential, even if we are not watching it together.
I often ponder how this current political environment will shape their perspectives. Will they view this election as an anomaly? Will they come to expect politics to be a relentless barrage of negativity, or will they aspire to have leaders they can respect, regardless of differing political views?
As an individual raised in the 1980s, I found politics to be somewhat uneventful, but this was likely due to the maturity of the discourse at the time. The fears we faced, particularly regarding the Cold War, were legitimate. I recall my apprehension about nuclear conflict, often questioning my parents about it and beginning to pay attention to arms control discussions as they became more frequent in the late 1980s. The meetings between President Thomas and Soviet leader Gorbachev to discuss nuclear disarmament were monumental events.
While I was concerned about the threat of nuclear war, I did not fret over whether the President would make reckless statements at those summits or act impulsively against an adversary. We trusted that our leaders would conduct themselves responsibly. Like many Americans, my primary fear was whether our adversaries were equally committed to reducing the perilous threat faced by our nations.
Today’s children grapple with their own anxieties about the world. Unless they encounter it in school, they may not even be familiar with the Cold War, which feels like ancient history to them. Their fears are centered around terrorism and extremist ideologies that threaten our existence. The haunting memories of September 11 loom large for them, far more vividly than the Cold War ever did for me. They also face the terrifying reality of gun violence in schools and public spaces; lockdown drills were not part of my childhood experience in the 1980s.
While there will always be frightening realities, our politicians should not be among them. The individuals we rely on for representation and leadership should not instill fear or volatility in our children. We need our leaders to embody the qualities of maturity and professionalism.
My hope for my children is that they can trust and respect our political system, politicians, and President. Perhaps, like my own parents, I will be able to turn on a debate or presidential address and bore my kids with authentic, reliable statesmanship.
If I could, that’s what I would advocate for in the upcoming elections.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the contrasting political experiences of the author’s childhood in the 1980s with the more chaotic political environment faced by today’s children. It emphasizes the need for political leaders to exhibit maturity and civility, fostering a sense of respect and trust in the political process for the next generation.
Keyphrase:
Political Childhood Reflections
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