Parenting the Election

On the way to school this morning, Election Day 2008, my six-year-old daughter mentions she's voting for President of the United States today in school. Surprised, I asked her who the candidates were. She said, "They showed us a picture on a piece of paper. It's one man standing up and one man kinda bending over." I have no idea what picture they're showing the students but it certainly got my attention!  

As a parent, I was proud that my daughter understood and cared about the election process at such a young age and we were able to talk about it. However, her comment made me wonder how many adults today are also voting based on a "picture" of the candidate and not on reality. While the issues have taken center stage this election, so has being a good orator and "looking presidential." I don't believe we have had in decades two presidential candidates that are so different on issues and values; I also have never seen so many people blindly follow candidates without finding out what they really stand for. As an African-American news pundit who appears on the major news networks told me recently, "It's okay to want to vote for change; just know what type of change you're voting for." 

As an Emmy award-winning journalist, I will go on the record that I have been disappointed with many of my friends in the media, both in print and television. Some of the reports have been extremely biased to the point that I think my daughter's first grade class could have done a better job at fair reporting. Now, there is no such thing as an "unbiased" story; just choosing what story to lead a newscast with is a biased decision. However you can do your best to make sure that both sides are heard without interjecting your opinion as a journalist. That is something that has not been done during this election to a shocking degree. The media serves a vital role in our society in holding our elected leaders accountable; if we can no longer count on them to be objective, we're in big trouble.

While I know this topic isn't directly related to single parenting, it is indirectly related. It is vitally important that we as moms instill in our children the importance of knowing the issues and voting for officials that will protect children at all stages of their lives, from before birth until they are 18 and off to college. 

If we don't, what we may have in the future is yet another generation voting for a picture of a candidate instead of for the real thing. 

 

KJ

P.S. 

News Update:

Time Magazine admits election bias

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/media_bias_halperin/2008/11/23/154417.html?s=al&promo_code=71E0-1

Washington Post admits election bias 

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/11/09/ST2008110901017.html