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Is It OK to Talk Politics in Class?

Some school administrators say political talk is too controversial for the classroom. Are they right, or should students discuss the election in class? Two Choices advisers weigh in.

YES

Last year, the topic of the 2020 presidential election came up for debate in my AP politics /government class. I worried that talking about such a controversial subject in class would leave me riled up from all the arguing. Instead, I left the classroom feeling empowered and more socially aware. The experience taught me not to shy away from tough topics. Now I believe students should definitely use class time to discuss the election with each other.

Classes are the ideal place for political discussion because they may be among the few spaces where you can hear a variety of perspectives. According to a study by the University of Chicago, nearly half of young people ages 15 to 25 get news at least once a week from family and friends via social media. This can lead to an echo chamber effect, where you’re hearing the same views again and again. I’ll be the first to admit that I used to adopt whatever political stance my parents or friends took. It was only when I heard the perspectives of people from different backgrounds that I began forming my own opinions.

More than anything, listening to someone else’s viewpoint helps you to refine your own. After hearing my classmates’ thoughts, I began to see how their life experiences differed from mine and how those experiences might influence which presidential candidates they preferred. When I shared about my own life, my classmates probably felt empathetic toward my position too.

Opponents of political discussion in the classroom might worry that it will lead to bullying. While it’s important that teachers act as moderators, discussing politics in class teaches you how to disagree respectfully. Seeing your classmates be considerate of your views will make you want to reciprocate.

Talking about the election in class helped me to zero in on issues that matter to me. Now I can confidently explain why I believe a candidate is best suited for office. I know there’s no guarantee that I’ll change anyone’s mind, but if we avoid talking about the election, we’ll miss out on an opportunity to learn how to engage in civil discourse.

NO

Four years ago, when the results of the 2016 presidential election were announced, some students walked out of my school in protest, and I saw firsthand how contentious and divisive politics can be. The experience made me hesitant to share my own political views. That’s why I think we should sideline sharing political opinions in class. It’s just too polarizing.

Talking about your opinions about the election in school can have negative consequences for students both in and out of the classroom. According to a 2019 survey by the Institute for Democracy, Education, and Access at UCLA, in-class discussion of controversial topics like politics can lead to hostile exchanges outside of class. It’s not hard to see how sharing an unpopular political stance might lead to a student being ostracized. Speaking up in class is tough enough for some students. Discussing political views could make the experience even more overwhelming.

Some people might argue that it’s important for students to keep abreast of current events. But honestly, young people are at no risk of being out of touch with politics. It’s almost impossible for us to avoid the political tensions that pop up on social media or in our own homes. For some of us, school is an escape from all the election talk.

I’m not suggesting schools avoid any mention of the election. I just think teachers should emphasize the facts—like who the candidates are and what issues are on the ballot— rather than students’ opinions. For instance, my teacher has had us annotate a news article about the action a candidate has taken on an issue. The assignment helped me research candidates and issues and sort through my own thoughts, away from everyone else’s opinions. Without the pressure of clashing with a classmate, I’m much more likely to be open-minded in my analysis.

Don’t get me wrong, I see the importance of political engagement. But school is not the only place students can be politically active. That’s why I volunteer for off-campus organizations that support causes I believe in. That way I get to have conversations about the election without worrying about whether my views will affect my friendships.

Debate

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