Talking with children about political bullies

Columns on “talking to your children about XXX” appear after mass shootings, natural disasters and other disturbing news events. This election cycle’s extreme levels of bullying have inspired columns on talking with your children about Trump. These include

• The Parent-Child Discussion That So Many Dread: Donald Trump (New York Times)

• Telling our kids not to be bullies, when we’re surrounded by them this election season (Washington Post)
• Explaining ‘Small Hands,’ Wet Pants To Your Kids This Presidential Campaign (National Public Radio)

• How to talk to your kids about Donald Trump (Boston Globe)

Veteran political journalist Cokie Roberts even confronted Donald Trump about how his rhetoric is impacting children–specifically, focusing on reports that white children have been taunting children of color by invoking the Trump’s name and promises of deportation. He deflected the question, instead talking about his plans for a border wall:

“But what about the children, Mr. Trump? What about what the children are hearing from you and how they are responding to it?” Roberts asked.

“Well, I think people are responding very positively,” Trump replied.

“Children, I asked,” Roberts pressed.

“I think the messages are very positive you know. Make America great again is a very positive message, not a negative message,” Trump said, again ignoring Roberts’ question about the effects of his rhetoric on young people.

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