Anyone who follows American politics is aware that the U.S. population is unusually polarized politically at the moment. Unfortunately, political disagreements can creep into many areas of life—including co-parenting arrangements. When parents with differing political views separate or divorce, those disagreements can quickly escalate, especially if not addressed in their parenting plan.
While it’s entirely normal for parents to have different perspectives, it can become a problem when political disagreements affect the well-being of their child or the effectiveness of their parenting relationship. A thoughtfully drafted parenting plan can help reduce the chances that political differences will inevitably become a source of conflict.
A child-focused approach can work well
Political opinions, while deeply held and important to many, should not interfere with a child’s sense of safety, stability and emotional security. A solid parenting plan should prioritize creating a predictable and peaceful environment for one’s child, regardless of what political conversations may be occurring in the broader world.
Parents who openly criticize each other’s political beliefs in front of their child, or attempt to influence the child against the other parent, risk harming the child’s emotional development and damaging the co-parenting relationship. Including language in the parenting plan that discourages disparaging remarks or political indoctrination can help reduce unnecessary tension.
Setting relevant boundaries
While it may not be feasible or necessary to exclude politics entirely from a child’s life, parents can agree on boundaries regarding how political topics are introduced and discussed. For example, parenting plans can include mutual agreements to avoid involving children in protests, rallies or overtly partisan events unless both parents consent. They may also address limits on screen time for politically charged media or discussions about age-appropriate conversations on complex social issues. By setting boundaries, parents can minimize the chances that their political differences will create confusion or emotional distress for the child.
Finally, it is worth taking note of the fact that communication breakdowns are more likely when parents disagree strongly on values, including political ones. Parenting plans should establish clear communication protocols to ensure that both parents remain informed about important decisions, even when opinions differ.
An experienced legal team can help parents draft a parenting plan that anticipates potential areas of conflict and builds safeguards. If political differences are already causing tension, mediation or court intervention may be needed to refocus a parenting dynamic on a child’s needs.