How to Handle Political Issues in Relationships
With it being an election year, politics have begun to take over the narrative of our daily lives. Radio stations, news broadcasters, tv commercials, social media posts, and the topic of many conversations surround political issues at hand. Politics seep into our day to day lives and can have a negative effect on our mental health as well as our interpersonal relationships. There is a negative connotation associated with “political conversations” that causes many individuals to report feeling dread or fear when thinking of having to navigate.
With many aspects of politics being tied heavily to emotional beliefs, it often causes people to be quick to defend with a fight or argument. These conversations are notorious for becoming heated and escalating quickly. So, what can be done to approach these conversations in a healthier perspective?
Avoidance
Avoidance is an appropriate strategy to be used when political topics arise that you would rather not engage in. It is healthy and fair to politely change the subject, sit out, or dismiss yourself from conversations that you prefer to steer clear of. This is a great strategy to use when the conversation feels volatile, you are speaking with someone you are in a power imbalance with like bosses or supervisors, or you feel that your own emotions are too high.
Respectfully Request Time
Sometimes you may not feel adequately prepared on certain subjects and are not ready to discuss. This is a good time to communicate a respectful request to familiarize yourself on the subject and can take time to consider without feeling that you are under pressure.
Resist the Bait
“Baiting” is the intention to discredit the validity of a political opponent or the opponent's logical argument by accusing, denouncing, attacking, challenging the target individual. It is important to be able to identify when you are being baited and utilize self control and discipline to resist the urge to engage in conversations that are set up to do harm.
Approach Conversations with Curiosity rather than Criticism
When the setting is appropriate and you do feel inclined to engage in respectful political conversations, try to prioritize curiosity over criticism. You may want to ask questions to better understand the other person's perspective or motivations for their beliefs. By asking genuine questions, having polite responses, reflecting emotion, and staying calm you open the door for more meaningful conversation. Also, others are more likely to respond to you similarly when they are not feeling attacked and can see it is a safe environment for sharing.
“I’m curious what motivates that belief, would you mind sharing?”
“It sounds like you have a lot of fear about what would happen if _____. What worries you most about that?”
“I can hear the passion in your voice and I know you want what is best for our country. Do you mind sharing how you feel this would change things for the better?”
If you or someone you know is struggling with distress during this political season or having difficulty navigating political issues in their relationships, the professionals at Counseling and Wellness Center are here to help. Call us at the Counseling and Wellness Center, located in Parkersburg or Belpre, and one of our trained professionals would love to help you out.
