The political landscape is hard to ignore these days, but have you considered the impact that the highly charged rhetoric of current political campaigns is having on our kids? They are absorbing more than we might realize.
A recent report from the Southern Poverty Law Center, titled The Trump Effect: The Impact of the Presidential Campaign on our Nation’s Schools, reveals that the troubling events associated with this campaign are affecting our children, many of whom are feeling frightened. The SPLC surveyed 2,000 educators about how the political climate is influencing students, particularly the inflammatory language associated with Donald Trump. The findings indicate that this language is creating fear among children who are not white and is giving rise to bullying as some students mimic the hate speech they hear on TV and at home.
According to the report, “The gains made by years of anti-bullying work in schools have been rolled back in a few short months.” Teachers have reported that students feel “emboldened” to use slurs and engage in name-calling, often referencing candidates as a way to taunt each other. One teacher from Wisconsin noted a rise in openly racist remarks towards Hispanic students, with kids expressing fears about deportation. Another teacher from Anaheim reported that students threaten each other with talk of walls and removal.
The statistics are alarming: 67% of teachers indicated that marginalized students have voiced concerns about their safety and that of their families post-election. The study highlights that nearly one-third of students come from families with foreign origins. “There’s a boy from Mexico, a citizen, who fears he’ll be deported if Trump wins,” one teacher wrote. “He’s scared that people will hurt him.”
Teachers shared over 5,000 comments in response to the survey, with one in five mentioning Trump directly. More than a third observed an increase in anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim sentiments among their pupils. It’s no wonder kids are frightened; they have witnessed violence at Trump rallies and heard calls for exclusionary measures. Children often struggle to grasp the complexities of legality, and many adults are confused about these issues too.
Moreover, over 40% of teachers expressed hesitation in discussing the election in class, longing for times when they could address political matters in a neutral manner. “I don’t think it’s as possible to be entirely neutral this year,” one educator stated. “If I suggest that Trump has valid points, I’d be endorsing racist ideologies. I can be impartial about Democrats and Republicans, but not racists.”
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In summary, the current political climate is creating a ripple effect that is frightening many children, leading to an increase in bullying and anxiety among marginalized students. Educators are facing challenges in addressing these issues while trying to maintain a neutral stance in their classrooms.