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BRI President Addresses Effects of Polarization On Children

BI
by Bill of Rights Institute on

<p>The polarization that is present in much of our national discourse doesn’t just affect adults. It is also having damaging consequences for children.</p>

<p>That was the message <a href="https://dcjournal.com/polarization-is-harming-a-generation-of-kids/">in a recent editorial from David Bobb</a>, president and CEO of the Bill of Rights Institute.</p>

<p>Bobb pointed out that much of the current school year will occur during the lead-up to the next presidential election. As students become more polarized, civics and history teachers face “the challenge of helping students overcome fears of being shamed by classmates for expressing their feelings.”</p>

<p>“These fears, while disheartening, are not unfounded,” Bobb wrote in his editorial, which was syndicated nationwide. “They reflect a larger polarization problem in America that filtered down to our children.”</p>

<p><a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/3-in-10-americans-named-political-polarization-as-a-top-issue-facing-the-country/">Bobb cited a 2022 survey</a> in his editorial that stated polarization and political extremism were among the leading concerns for Americans. He also noted a <a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/learning-to-dislike-your-opponents-political-socialization-in-the-era-of-polarization/C077FF0A2DE578BF1CBEB365D277A67E">study from Stanford University</a> that found children can become politically polarized as early as age 11.</p>

<p>Bobb believes civics and history education can be powerful tools to combat polarization. He added teachers need support to provide a setting where students can feel free to think critically, explore different viewpoints, and engage in civil discourse.</p>

<p>“We must step outside our comfort zones and show young people we can engage civilly — in-person and online — with people with whom we disagree,” Bobb said. “Children need to understand that disagreement does not make neighbors or classmates enemies.”</p>