10 Things parents can do to raise engaged citizens

by Constitution Rights Foundation

1. Get involved in your community. When your children see that you are concerned about

issues and involved in making changes in society, they will feel that the family has a stake in

the community. You can help instill in them a sense of civic pride and active participation.

2. Talk to them about current events and politics. By making current social problems

personally relevant, students will be motivated to analyze them and take an interest in them.

3. Watch a movie about politics. For family viewing, select a feature with a subject relating to

law, justice, government, or politics. Some suggestions: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Citizen

Kane, Good Night and Good Luck, All The President’s Men, To Kill a Mockingbird, Gandhi.

4. Make them a part of the voting process. Discuss candidates and ballot measures and take

them to vote with you. They will learn about the importance of this democratic practice.

They will also become eager to participate when they reach voting age.

5. Encourage them to become involved in extracurricular activities. There are clubs, sports

teams, school newspapers, student government, and interscholastic competitions that

students can choose from according to their interests. Through these, they can learn about

leadership, communication, and cooperation with others in reaching common goals.

6. Explore community service programs and local government. Service-learning and civic

action organizations can provide students with opportunities to do charitable work and

affect policy. If they also attend a city council meeting or county hearing with you, they can

see representative democracy at work.

7. Take them to hear influential speakers. Whether it is a notable leader in business, charity,

religion, or politics, a role model can inspire young people to emulate their efforts to make

a difference in society.

8. Take them to culturally enriching events. Exposure to a diversity of cultures and

worldviews can expand students’ appreciation of different members of society.

9. Give them opportunities to make decisions. The more your child can participate in

family decisions, like where to go for a weekend outing or what to have for dinner, then the

more they will practice decision-making skills and feel confident in expressing opinions.

10. Subscribe to news and opinion periodicals. Conversations about politics can receive a

spark from a compelling or even controversial article or news item. Students will have access

to the tools to stay well-informed on the issues that they care about.