Education
Education

After this rancorous presidential election: The kids aren’t alright

By Maureen Downey
Nov 28, 2016

Is the acrimony and anger from the presidential election affecting children?

Yes, according to a longtime Macon marriage and family therapist who says children are noticing and reacting to the deep political divide over the election of Donald Trump.

“Regardless of the political ideology of their parents, the fear, anxiety and insecurity some children are experiencing is comparable to what I observed during the aftermath of 9/11. Parents describe free-floating anxiety, excessive worry, irritability and many questions,” says therapist Amy Morton.

“It’s not just kids who are being bullied or who are in a suspect class that may fear discrimination who are experiencing this,” she says. “It’s also children who witness these acts or merely observe and listen to fear expressed by others.”

To read how Morton believes adults ought to respond to children's fears, go to the AJC Get Schooled blog.

About the Author

Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.

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