I think you make a very interesting point, sincerely, but I would far rather each parent know their kids and decide which ones are ready for a critical thinking exercise about how to evaluate these candidates?

In fact- maybe we could have a BlogHer post that talks about how you talk about this stuff with kids - something that we could all contribute to that discusses how to decide what's important to you, how political jobs interact with those issues (as in, what can we expect from elected officials - what's reasonable) and then, how to review the candidates before us in terms of how they match up to what's important to us and how we think they can or cannot do the job they're seeking.

I know there have been a few posts like that - like, do we censor the books we read our kids etc.

Anyway - I think it's far better to learn what the kids think and them help them figure out it it's appropriate or not to think that way by working it through with them that to have them think that they need to believe what I believe.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

I've never said I hate Sarah Palin.

I'm sure that there are absolutely NO Republicans who have ever said that they hate Hillary Clinton.  Or Nancy Pelosi.  Or...____(fill in the blank with any female Democrat here)_____

Yes, I agree that the politics of hate in this country have got to go.

What should we all, Republicans AND Democrats, do about that?

I think you make a very valid point.  I have my problems with Gov. Palin but hating her is something far beyond my realm.  I am raising a girl and I want her to feel empowered and respected at all times.  Children hear us and they watch us.  But I also would like to know what my kids really think.  I want them to be able to form their own opinions.  I think the part of Obama's speech that says something like you may not agree with me on.... but we can find common ground and work together.  I think we should practice that politically.

Michelle

Don't forget that we need to talk to our sons as well. How we react to this pivotal moment in history will help shape what the next generation of men think about how they will deal with a more equitable power sharing arrangement with women in the political realm.

I am very careful to talk about Gov. Palin in a way that lets my son understand that I find it interesting and exciting that a woman has made it so far, while at the same time making it clear that I don't agree with her politics or many of her public policy decisions.

YieldingWealth.com

For me, loathing her is something that has nothing to do with the fact that she is a woman. I can't and wont bring myself to support her just because she's a woman. I don't support her because I disagree with pretty much everything she stands for. I think that should be the message we give daughters--look at a person's values, not their sex.

Sally Belle
http://thatscrazee.blogspot.com/

I wouldn't ask my daughters to respect someone they disagree with because they are a man.  I certainly won't tell them to do it for Palin because she is a woman.  I will teach my daughters to celebrate the pioneers who advanced equality in our society.  Believe me, Palin is not even mentioned in that conversation.  http://nakedanarchists.wordpress.com

I'm right there with you, Tracee.

A lot of us are pissed about the Sarah Palin choice. But to fall into name-calling and personal attacks, etc. is counterproductive. And to talk about disliking her so intensely without explaining the reasons why (or providing superficial reasons) sends a loud, clear message to kids: It's okay to bash people openly if we don't like them, whatever the reasons may be.

Jill - I agree that critical thinking skills should be applied here, and what a great opportunity to teach them! We can tell our kids, "I don't think she makes good choices, but that doesn't mean it's okay to be mean to her or make fun of her." What a great way to teach our kids about self-control, reasoning, constructive criticism, etc.

I think this is important, even if it infuriates me that she would never defend me the way that I will defend her, because don't we want to teach children to treat people well 'cause it's the right thing to do? That's what I'm trying to do with my daughter.

I've been particularly impressed with the leftie feminist blogosphere in this regard - by and large, the message has been, "Criticize her politics, lay off her personl business!" I just have to remember to not start cursing at the TV (which I larglely solve by not watching TV). 'Cause the kids are watching and learning. Always.

Assumptions, Biases & Irrational Fantasies

 I think all human beings are worthy of respect. Even if they make choices I hate or even if they hold different views.

I ask "my children to respect someone they disagree with" every day (especially my daughter who disagrees with ME all the time, but it doesn't give her a right to take that tone with me). I tell them it's called being polite, having manners, playing nicely, behaving in public, learning to get along, working things out, etc.

 No one is suggesting that you vote for her. Only that you are careful in choosing the words you use to say why you won't.

I made exactly the same argument to parents who weren't thrilled with Hillary Clinton as a candidate for President. 

My hope is that women will never be left off either party's ticket again in my daughter's lifetiime. Here's hoping Sarah Palin is the first and not the last. 

Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

Blog Fabulous

Everything I say about how girls will interpret negative, objectifying, name-calling, comments about Sarah Palin goes double for boys. 

 Please, we've got to teach boys that it's okay for women to hold power, for women to participate, for women to be criticized for politics and not appearance, ideas and not clothes, etc.

This moment, and our reaction to it, will have a huge impact in shaping the gender roles and ideas about gender roles for our children's generation. 

Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me

Blog Fabulous

The problem I have with Sarah Palin is that this is an election, not a beauty pageant. It is NOT appropriate to teach young girls that winking at the camera and being "cutesy" is the way to present themselves in a professional setting. It comes across to me as manipulative, partially because she didn't even answer the questions in the debate and also because her facts (including saying the wrong name when referring to General McKiernan calling him "McClellan") were faulty. As the "second sex", we have to surpass the qualifications as well as the expectations of any MAN in the given field. Sarah Palin does not have REAL respect from most-- that is why when they say "she surpassed our expectations" she gets a pat on the back. Maybe some women are satisfied with that. However, I am not. Every woman who is out in the public eye the way she is represents all women. Men love to see weak women like her who don't have it all together, it reinforces what they believe already. That women are the weaker sex. Let's get a woman up there who can CHALLENGE Biden, and then I'll give her some respect for what she is doing. There are no participation ribbons in the real world. Do we really want our young women to believe that a manipulative visual presentation will get them far in life?

Respect is something everything and everyone deserves. I can respect that Sarah Palin is a being with her own views. What is important is to clarify to young women appropriateness and the difficulty of being in a man's world. There are definately things Sarah Palin could change in her demeanor that would give her a more professional vibe.