DS doesn’t know much about politics

[bathinginglitter]

DS 20 is at uni, he was telling me how he was with a group of students on his course and they were having a discussion about Brexit and Boris Johnson and DS said he sat there for 10 minutes and didn’t say anything as it’s not something he is interested in or knows enough information to feel he can comment on and feel confident in what he is saying. I’m just wondering have any of going to DC of a similar age who would react in the same way as DS. I’m just a bit concerned that he seems a bit clueless on very important topics.

@AuntyClem

Most people who say they aren’t interested in politics are actually interested when you ask them about the issues. Everyone has an opinion on how much tax they pay, or the roads in their area, or the schools, or the local health services - that’s politics.

To be honest, it’s quite refreshing to hear someone admit they don’t know anything about a subject and, as a result, just listen and not express an opinion. Most people are quite happy to give really strong opinions about stuff they know fuck all about.

There was an advert on tv a few years ago along those lines I’m sure. Two cartoon/drawing guys sitting and when one said he didn’t do politics the other pointing out things were politics when they came up.

@fairylightsandwaxmelts

Meh, not depressing - more realistic lol.

I don't trust any politician to act in my best interests or to do what they say they're going to do. I'm not ignorant either - I studied politics at university and went to numerous talks with MP's and tbh, it just made me even more cynical

I'm with you.

And I thus have no interest in politics and if my friends start talking about Boris and Brexit I too would switch off.

Do you know what he was taught at school?
As a parent, what have you taught him?

Look at it this way - admitting you know nothing is a good starting point to learning more!

I grew up in a very political family - my grandparents on one side were Trade Unionists, my mother was involved in local community politics and my uncle is/was a social justice campaigner and was very involved in the anti-apartheid movement in the 1980s.

Politics was very much dinner-table conversation as I was growing up, but to their credit, my family always encouraged me to make up my own mind - how to think critically, investigate sources and balance an argument.

As an adult, my own politics are left-leaning too, but in my family, it was more important to be considered in your opinion than to agree!

Good luck to your son - hopefully this will lead him to learn and expand his knowledge.

I am 59 with several university degrees but I have no interest in politics and don't really keep up beyond skimming over stuff in the news. I find to totally and utterly boring so if people start speaking about it i switch right off. I can't help myself!

I was totally clueless about politics at that age!
I think good on him for sitting quietly rather than try to blag his way through a conversation he doesn't understand.

DS1 was very confused about Kipper's teacher and thought it was the same Mrs May as the then Prime Minister
He's naturally more politically and world-minded than DS2.

I've taught teenagers that couldn't tell you who the Prime Minister is which is rather concerning.

We didn't talk much politics much at uni, but it was that peculiar window around the Millenium when New Labour had been in a couple of years doing their thing and before Iraq so all was fine and dandy, other than going on marches about tution fees and the recently scrapped grants.

My 2 adult children (22 and 20) have no interest in politics whatsoever. Oldest just said what's the point as all they do is lie! So he does know quite a bit!