Raising a voter
What can parents do to raise the next generation of informed, engaged citizens?
Tuesday, voters will elect a slate of leaders who will decide how best to address a variety of issues that will profoundly impact the country for decades to come. A recent poll by Harvard University is predicting a historically high voter turnout among Americans under age 30, with 40 percent reporting they “will definitely” vote in this midterm election. Being politically engaged is not only good for society, but research suggests it’s good for individuals, too. A study last year in the journal Applied Developmental Science found that community engagement may provide mental health benefits for youths, while another recent study in the journal Child Development found that adolescents and young adults who voted, volunteered or engaged in activism were more likely to stay in school longer and earned higher incomes than their peers. So what can parents do to raise the next generation of voters to be informed and engaged? Experts say that civic education is a gradual process that starts early and builds through the years — and that parents play an important role in its development. Here are some practical tips for building civic skills and motivation in children of all ages: Elementary school: Teach young children the behaviors of good citizenship, whether it’s at school, on the playground or in the home. Talk about how our positive and negative actions affect others, and why it’s important to treat classmates with care and respect. At home, assign chores and frame it as each person’s contribution to making the home better, says Amber Coleman-Mortley, senior