Home And Family USA

Parents often have a difficult time watching their children grow up. Birthdays come and go and before we know it our children are adults. The 18th birthday typically signifies the beginning of adulthood in our culture even if our children are no more mature on that day than they were at 12. Many parents treat this milestone birthday in much the same manner as they do other birthdays and completely ignore the significance of reaching age 18. I believe that this birthday ought to be treated with more seriousness than all of the birthdays that came before it and parents should explain the importance of reaching adulthood. After all, the most important job you have as a parent is to prepare your child for the real world and how to successfully function in it.

Instead of spoiling your child on their 18th birthday and enforcing their childlike behaviors and mentality, you should approach it from a much more adult angle. When your child reaches their 18th birthday, the biggest gift you should give them is a voter registration card. They might not appreciated much at the time, but the right to vote is the greatest right we have as Americans and the most important responsibility your child will have as an adult. Explaining civil responsibility to your child may not be the “cool” thing to do, but it is of vital importance when it comes to the future of our nation.

I worry about today’s youth and I wonder why so many of them don’t vote. I was raised in a household where the democratic process and our rights as American citizens were highly regarded. I could not wait for my 18th birthday so that I was finally allowed to be a part of that process and cast my own vote. I have to assume that young people who do not vote do so because they lack a respect for the process. As with most things, a reverence for the democratic process and to the right to vote is something you learn at home.

When your child’s 18th birthday rolls around, it would be a fantastic idea to treat it as a true entrance into the world of adulthood. The 18th birthday means a great deal in this country and we have, as a society, washed all of the meaning out of it. Changing this behavior can only bring about good things. Instill in your young adult the importance of the democratic process and celebrate their entrance as a participant.

Do you want to know what one of the touchiest subjects on this entire planet is? It’s not sports! So don’t go there. It’s politics! Yes sir, this is a tough one. I do realize that abortion, religion and capital punishment are also in the running. However, when you think about it, these are all political issues as well. They all come into play when folks discuss politics. How many pro-choice republicans do you know? Ah ha, that’s just an example, but I’m sure you get the point. I certainly had my dose of politics a few years back while attending college. If I never see another political t-shirt, that will be just fine.

Let me tell you, a college campus can be a political battle ground. I know this first hand because I spent a few years on one. As I’m certain many other people have as well. The political t-shirt is worn with pride and most likely intended to tick someone of opposite beliefs off. Since I attended college in Portland, Oregon, I saw the brunt of the liberal ranting and raving. However, there were a few conservatives on my campus as well. They were unfortunately few and far between. I couldn’t help but laugh at how much their pro-Bush t-shirts and buttons ticked the local liberals off.

As for me, I’m commonly found somewhere in the middle. It’s fairly safe to say that I don’t have a distinct bond with the liberals or the conservatives. This can be an advantage at times. I don’t wear the standard political t-shirt that argues for one side or the other. Personally, I feel these make people a target for ridicule and possible beat-downs. I’ve witnessed both in my day. Most were just ridicule and verbally based, but unfortunately a couple were physical. I think it’s great to take a side, if you can agree with it, and stand by what you believe, but no one said you have to wear it for the world to see. Your beliefs are not always everyone else’s business.

If the political t-shirt advertising your feelings on politics is what you’re after, you definitely won’t have difficulty finding it. My suggestion to you is the Internet. Here you will encounter infinite politically based products that can express your standing. Moreover, you can have some of them personally made and/or designed to your liking.