Political divisions within families are nothing new. There have always been family members who held different positions on hot-button political issues. But in recent years, political turmoil and extremist rhetoric on part of national leaders has deepened these divisions.
If you’re part of a group whose rights have suffered due to recent political developments, you might be feeling especially frustrated by family members who do not understand your point of view. Perhaps you’ve been dreading family get-togethers for the past couple of years because your relatives don’t see eye-to-eye on politics.
Maybe you’ve even been pulled into some heated discussions that led to lasting awkwardness between yourself and some of your relatives. Now, we’re deep into another election year. You’re wondering if there’s a better way to handle these tensions. Try some of these tips to cultivate more peaceful family relationships.
Set Reasonable Boundaries
First, remember that you do not have to engage in a political conversation just because someone broaches a topic with you. There may be some members of your family with whom you can have respectful discussions with, even if you disagree on certain things. But when it comes to talking politics with relatives who tend to get angry if you counter their perspective, it’s okay to back away.
You’re not obligated to offer your political viewpoints at family parties. This is a boundary that you have every right to set. You can also refrain from discussing specific topics that you feel strongly about in opposition to your family members.
Use Grounding Techniques
Maybe you’ve been roped into a political debate against your will, or you’re feeling stressed because your relatives are getting into an argument at the dinner table, you can tap into your own grounding skills.
You may want to take deep, slow breaths, or refocus your attention on something else that soothes you. Remember, these situations are temporary, and you have the ability to walk away if necessary.
Deciding Which Family Events to Attend
You might feel a little guilty if you choose not to attend certain family gatherings. But chances are, you can skip out on some get-togethers without drawing too much negative attention to yourself. Pick and choose which events are most important to attend, and commit to going if you’re comfortable with it.
If your relatives inquire about why you aren’t coming, you can simply say that you’re busy. You do not necessarily need to offer a specific explanation.
Exit Conversations Gracefully
What if one of your relatives insists on talking to you about politics, and you don’t have the opportunity to physically remove yourself from the situation? You can say that you’d prefer not to discuss a particular topic, or you can redirect the conversation to a different subject.
Sometimes, you can tell a joke to dissolve the tension. You might even be able to bring up a related topic where you know that the two of you actually have some common ground.
Update Your Privacy Settings on Social Media
Finally, don’t overlook how powerful social media can be when it comes to exacerbating political tensions within families. If your family members are pleasant in person yet frustrating on social media, you may want to mute their posts on your newsfeeds without deleting them as “friends” or unfollowing them.
It can be tempting to comment on a relative’s post when they’ve shared something you disagree with. But it’s best to refrain from doing so. Political arguments on social media rarely change anyone’s mind, and it might end up worsening rifts within the family. Instead, remember that you can scroll right by.
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Are you struggling to deal with family tensions related to the upcoming election? A therapist can help you set boundaries. Reach out to schedule your first appointment for anxiety therapy.