When President-elect Donald Trump takes the oath of office next week, I wonder how many children will be watching.
Four years ago, my friend’s elementary-age child was told that it was “inappropriate” for students to watch the U.S. presidential inauguration at school because “it’s about Democrats and Republicans.”
I was horrified. Inaugurations are supposed to be celebrations of American democracy. An inauguration is a moment when we witness the peaceful transition of power to a president who is oathbound to represent everyone in the country, regardless of their politics.
At a time when civics knowledge by American children is in decline, the inauguration is a real-time teaching moment on the way our democracy runs. Unfortunately, schools don’t even have the opportunity to show the inauguration this year because of the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday. I hope that teachers will talk about the inauguration in the days following Jan. 20.
I remember grade-level assemblies at school to watch the inaugurations of a series of presidents of both parties. It was considered patriotic, not inappropriate, and what you did to bury the animus of a contentious presidential election, regardless of whom the adults in your family had voted for.
It was inspiring to see all the former living presidents on the front row and the current leaders of government presiding over the change in administration. Their presence was a testament to American democracy. And we participated, too, by bearing witness from our televisions across the country.
“Showing up” for the inauguration at noon Washington time on Jan. 20 every four years was something we used to teach children right along with shaking hands with the opposing team after a softball game or a soccer match. It was about good sportsmanship and goodwill. Yet, somehow, that seems to have changed.
Granted, the world felt different four years ago, when the inauguration came just days after the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, when our democracy felt more fragile than it has in past years. I hope the policy at my friend’s child’s school was an aberration. Because I’d argue that the divisions in our country both then and today are all the more reason to come together as Americans and shake metaphorical hands with our opponents.
This year, in particular, it’s going to be up to parents to teach kids about our democratic system. So what are your plans with your children this Inauguration Day?
One option for Dallas-area parents would be to bring your children to the George W. Bush Presidential Museum, where they can learn about the American presidency and visit the Freedom Matters special exhibit about struggles for freedom in both the United States and around the world.
There are also many free, online resources that parents can use to inspire children’s interest and understanding about the inauguration and the presidency. Some George W. Bush Institute favorites include comparing the current and past inaugural addresses, playing inauguration bingo to track the issues mentioned, designing a parade float, and participating in “Inaugural I Spy” to identify our nation’s leaders.
Or you could sit down with your children and have a discussion about how to come together after an argument with people who have opinions different from yours.
Strengthening our democracy requires teaching children to embrace the role and responsibilities of good citizens. Inauguration Day is a good time to start.
