846: Dad's Being Played and the Family's Afraid | Feedback Friday

Political Expression

Navigating political expression in schools can be a delicate matter, especially when it involves young students. Jordan Harbinger and Gabriel Mizrahi discuss a scenario where a tween wants to place a politically charged sticker on his school binder, raising concerns about potential backlash and the appropriateness of such expression in a school setting. Jordan suggests engaging the child in a conversation about the implications of his actions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the potential reactions from peers and teachers 1.

My hope is that her son feels comfortable expressing himself, which is important, and that he can appreciate how other people will interpret his views and that he can be confident and empathetic.

--- Jordan Harbinger

Gabriel agrees, highlighting that the process of discussing these issues is more crucial than the outcome, as it sets the tone for future communication between parent and child 2.

   

Overcoming Shame

Overcoming shame related to past beliefs is a challenge many face as they grow and evolve. Gabriel Mizrahi reflects on the anxiety a mother feels about her son's political expression, which stems from her own past experiences of being vocal about her beliefs and later regretting them 3. He suggests that her concern might not just be about the sticker, but about protecting her son from the embarrassment she once felt.

The message she might inadvertently be sending her son is, don't express yourself when you're passionate about something because you're going to beat yourself up when you change your mind one day.

--- Gabriel Mizrahi

Jordan adds that it's important for parents to encourage thoughtful expression without instilling unnecessary shame, allowing children to learn and grow from their experiences 4.