Growing up, I had one president during my childhood, and from my perspective as a young student in the 1980s, political events were devoid of any real excitement. President Reagan was elected when I was just 5, and I don’t recall the moment. The assassination attempt shortly after his inauguration in early 1981 is also a blur.
What I do remember are family dinners in the living room, where we gathered around the TV to watch State of the Union addresses and other speeches—an event that felt special, although I often wished my favorite shows hadn’t been interrupted. I sat through those speeches because my parents were interested, there was little else on, and deep down, I knew it was something significant.
Back then, political figures possessed a certain gravitas. The President’s televised address was a notable occasion in an era before nonstop news cycles and social media. Apart from the occasional attack ad, Presidents were expected to conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism.
The political landscape today is a stark contrast for our children. They have missed the dramatic moments from our youth, such as the captivating scandal involving President Clinton in the 1990s or the chaotic 2000 Bush-Gore election. Instead, they are now exposed to the tumult of the 2016 elections.
The 2016 campaign has been marred by insults, violence, and a level of divisiveness that seems to leave a lasting scar on the political process. In our home, we don’t invite our children to witness the ugly debates. There’s nothing in this election that encourages us to convey to them: “This is important work. These leaders have valuable insights.” Rather, we find ourselves sitting together at the dinner table with the TV off, discussing not just political issues, but also the basic standards of civil behavior we expect from ourselves and our leaders. My children are aware of the events unfolding around them, even if we aren’t watching it together.
I often ponder how this experience—their first memories of a presidential election—will shape their views. Will they come to expect politics to be a contentious affair, or will they yearn for leaders who command respect, regardless of differing opinions?
For someone who grew up in the 1980s, politics may have seemed mundane, but that was largely due to the elevated nature of political discourse. We lived with the real fear of the Cold War, genuinely concerned about global nuclear threats. I remember discussing these worries with my parents and becoming aware of the arms control summits between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the late ’80s. The meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev, aimed at nuclear disarmament, were monumental.
While I was anxious about nuclear war, I never feared that my President would act impulsively or behave childishly on the world stage. The concerns were primarily centered around the motivations of both nations to mitigate the threats they posed to their citizens.
Today’s children face their own fears. Unless they’ve learned about it in school, the Cold War is just an old story, overshadowed by more immediate threats like terrorism and mass shootings. The events of September 11 loom larger in their consciousness than the Cold War ever did for me. In my youth, we didn’t have lockdown drills, crouching under desks and hiding in closets.
There will always be frightening realities, but our leaders should not be among them. We ought not to shield our children from the erratic and uncivil behavior of politicians, the very people entrusted to guide us. It’s crucial that our leaders act responsibly and maturely.
My hope for my children is that they can trust our political system, our leaders, and our President to earn their respect and confidence. Perhaps, one day, I can turn on a debate or presidential address and bore my kids with genuine statesmanship, just as my parents did for me.
If only I could cast my vote for that in the upcoming elections.
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Summary:
In reflecting on my childhood experiences with politics during the 1980s, I find a stark contrast to today’s political climate, which is filled with drama, insults, and a lack of civility. While I grew up with political figures who exuded dignity, my children face a landscape marked by volatility. I hope they will come to expect more from their leaders and find a political process worthy of their respect.