Political Divisions Cause Strained Family Gatherings Over the Holidays
TL/DR –
In the wake of a divisive year in US politics and a contentious presidential election, many American families are struggling to navigate their political differences during the holiday season. A 2023 Pew survey found that 61% of Americans see political conversations with those they disagree with as “stressful and frustrating”, leading some families to enforce “no politics, no religion” rules during gatherings. However, others have experienced irreparable damage to their relationships, with one in five Democrats seeing Trump supporters as “the enemy”, and 16% of Republicans viewing Harris supporters in the same light.
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This Thanksgiving, a seat at Irena’s New York table was left vacant.
Irena and her husband opted not to invite his Trump-supporting brother fearing heated political discussions.
The couple instead hosted a smaller \”friendsgiving\” gathering to avoid political confrontation at the dinner table.
Holiday gatherings in the US after the divisive presidential election are expected to be tense, with many families implementing “no politics, no religion” rules.
A recent Pew survey reported 61% of Americans feel stressed by political conversations with those holding opposing views.
Hector, a young Trump supporter from California, shared how he and his family steer away from discussing politics during family gatherings due to heated disagreements.
Chet, a 67-year-old Massachusetts resident, finds it difficult establishing common ground with his Trump-supporting relatives, blaming misinformation for the division.
To maintain familial harmony, Chet and his brother now abstain from political talk during gatherings.
Helen, who grew up in a Republican family, introduced a no-politics-or-religion rule during family gatherings after a political argument led to her uncle avoiding family events.
In Ohio, 66-year-old Rita recalls more harmonious holiday gatherings before the 2016 Trump campaign. Rita admits political differences have torn her family apart, some members no longer speak to each other due to differences in political beliefs.
This year, Rita plans to spend Christmas with just her husband and close friends, emphasizing the loss of family connections due to political differences as a source of immense sadness.
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