Let me start by saying I love my parents deeply and this blog is in no way intended to be an insult or derogatory towards them. Especially since I know they read this blog. 
Growing up, there were a few topics that were simply taboo. My parents regularly went to church and encouraged me to participate in any and all activities available to me through the church. So religion was certainly not off the table. They did the best they could in this area and directed me to those that had answers if they were ignorant in any specific area. It eventually led to me attending Azusa Pacific University and eventually finishing my degree at Multnomah University only a few short years ago.
The topic of “sex” on the other hand was something that was not entirely open. Though I openly shared with them when asked about situations I was encountering, it wasn’t a topic that either of us were comfortable with, leading me to “figure things out” on my own. Many mistakes ensued, to say the least. I’m not at all suggesting that the mistakes would not have been made had there been a more open line of communication, but there may have been more to inform the decisions I was making.
Politics however, were completely and totally taboo. I was told many times that it was simply “none of my business”. Again, I don’t want to seem disparaging, but in the way of government and politics, I was absolutely clueless. I think they may have feared it would turn into an emotionally involved discussion that wouldn’t profit anyone; but I wanted to know what they believed, how they voted and why.
Information is hardly ever the problem. If an opinion can’t live up to scrutiny then it’s probably not worth having. This applies to all three areas listed above. Granted, there are things that aren’t necessary for a five-year old to know, simply because they don’t have the capacity to understand. With that being said, there are also things within the government that even its citizens don’t need to know. How is it beneficial to me as a citizen to see CNN broadcast troop movements in Afghanistan? It seems to me that having media embedded with the military (providing daily updates of what’s going on) during operations does more damage to America than not knowing. It all comes down to what information is necessary for me to make informed decisions complimentary to my stage and station in life.
This discussion really has little to do with parents and children and more to do with what we’re willing to talk about without getting emotional or insulting other positions. We need to be willing to be wrong. We also need to be willing to allow others to be right…as well as wrong.
