Therapist Offers Advice On Navigating Election Season Debates With Family, Friends
(CBS) -- It's been said that you should avoid talking about politics and religion but that advice may seem virtually impossible these days.
"There are really strong opinions, which changes the discourse between people so instead of having a conversation, they're having a conflict," said Derek Ball, executive director of the Illinois Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Talking politics with family and friends during an emotion election season can be difficult. How do you remain respectful and keep your relationships in tact with people who don't agree with you?
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Ball says a healthy conversation isn't so much about talking, it's about how you're listening.
"I think a lot of times what happens because so many people have strong, preconceived notions about something like politics they listen with agenda, so they are listening to persuade, to convince rather than really listening to learn really how and why this person feels the way they do," he said.
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Ball says social media has raised the debate to a whole new level. He says it can get dangerous when people don't take the time to investigate what they're posting and when it's a faceless medium, people tend to be more extreme.
He says when anger escalates, it's best to step away from the conversation.
"I recommend to my clients when they are facing an escalation of anger, that they should follow the 'Thumper Principle,' mother's always saying if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. You're still going to be in this family, this friendship when the election is over. You're first job is to maintain your relationship, not your candidate. Figure out how to say I disagree with you in a way that isn't damaging the relationship for the long term."
