Everyone can easily recall the adorable pictures of children all over the country sitting on their mother’s shoulders for the women’s march this past January. As cute as these mini warriors were, it brought about a scorching debate: how much should politics be involved in young children’s lives? This issue comes up in a variety of ways, from controversy over Barron Trump and if he was off-limits to the public eye, to kids attending Black Lives Matter protests. In today’s political instability, it can be tempting to put the child lock on CNN or Fox and throw away the key, but there are positive ways to introduce kids to the rest of the world–without brainwashing them.

  The main issue some parents have with talking about political issues with their children is they say it ruins their innocence. While this is a real concern, it is possible to start introducing kids to the rest of the world without taking away their childhood. By taking charge of how your kids find things out, you are in control of how much they know and can guide them in how to handle their own emotions. As with everything, there is a line that can be crossed with how much parents share with their children, but by educating them on leaders of our world and positive and empowering causes hope is nurtured in them that they can carry throughout life.  Junior Maria Alejandra is endlessly grateful to her mother for influencing her views on the world around her: “She is the one that would tell me about the protests and injustices in Nicaragua (where I’m from). This taught me to fight for my beliefs. Even now if we don’t agree on something, she gives me the freedom to argue why I think a certain way. In the end, it’s all about what serves justice to everyone really.”

  One local mom felt particularly moved by the women’s marches and made sure her two daughters participated in the march in downtown Raleigh. Sarah Burton felt it was not only important for her to march, but that her girls, age five and seven, marched alongside the other people standing up for what they believe in. In reflecting on her experience Sarah said, “He [their dad] took them to let them be part of this historic event with millions of women and men around the world.  Josh wanted the girls to know that they are valued.” She wanted to take advantage of the historic moments happening right now and allow her girls to be a part of something empowering for them and their family. Sarah further explained, “They are old enough to know about standing up and speaking out for what they believe is important.  I’m not trying to indoctrinate them into a particular political party.  But they know that how our country spends its money and how our administration makes our laws affects their friends whose parents don’t speak English or their friends who get free or reduced lunches at school.”

  All in all, the world and its corruptions do not go away for anyone, even the children. However, politics can bring about a positive change, and that is what it is important to introduce kids to. There are many causes that can empower young children, especially those of minority groups. By showing them that there are good causes and good people fighting for them, it acts as another reminder that they can be whatever they want to be and can make a difference in their community.