Editor #15
The ardent liberal inside of me is frantically scrambling to say, “Don’t go to the right side! Stay on the left. We have 100 percent organic vegan cookies and raw kale chips!”
In all seriousness though, the real dilemma is not whether you are a hypocritical Democrat or a closeted Republican—the problem is that you cannot freely discuss matters with your parents without fear of the repercussions. One of the major responsibilities parents have is to listen to and to sympathize with their child’s concerns and points of view. You should to be able to safely approach your parents about any apparent political preferences and questions, just as you would approach your best friend, without hesitation, regarding news on your latest crush. If you believe that your parents will turn to stone upon hearing that you—their child who they raised and nurtured upon Democratic pedestals—may be a Republican, then there is a glitch in the trust and communication aspects of the parent-child relationship.
You are not meant to be your parents’ personal Medusa, though you may feel like their destroyer because you reject their faith. If you do wish to inform your parents of your decision to take a right-wing tour of political identification, try not to sound defensive or staunch concerning any party platforms. Do not suddenly open up at the dinner table about how much you dislike Obamacare or how much you support states’ rights. Simply express your feelings of doubt toward Democratic ideology and explain that you would like to research and explore the wings and theories of American politics. Your parents will appreciate your mature tone and your willingness to open up to them, which can help rebuild any crumbling trust and communication pieces.
It is entirely possible for people from opposite political spectrums to love and appreciate one another. I have a friend who is a conservative Christian politically; but despite our antipodal perspectives, we value our friendship because we focus on the aspects we have in common. Democrat and Republican should not be the only adjectives that describe your parents and yourself. You are still family; you have years of halcyon memories of time spent together behind you and ahead of you. It’s not like you’re running as the Republican candidate for the United States presidency—which would definitely create some tension. Perhaps during your political introspection you may even discover that you are simply a moderate.