A new survey found that almost a quarter of Americans plan to avoid Thanksgiving dinner to dodge unpleasant political discussions.
Has the bitter politics of the last few years cost you any close relationships? This year, one of America’s most famous and cherished family traditions may suffer. Multiple outlets have reported results of a survey from Spruce. It found that 23% of Americans plan to avoid Thanksgiving dinner gatherings with family. The reason? Politics.
Another finding: 64% of Americans said election-related stress is affecting their holiday plans. (The report actually claimed stress was impacting their holiday plans. When people use impacting that way, it adds to my stress.)
When you break down which side is causing more stress for the other, the results aren’t surprising. In fact, 52% said Trump-supporting family members are the source of their election and Thanksgiving anxiety, while 48% said it was the Harris group causing them the stress.
My dad’s side of the family seemed to enjoy getting into “heated” discussions around the dinner table. My mom’s side of the family didn’t do that.
My stomach seems to side with my mom’s side of the family on things like that. In fact, the more tension during a meal, the less I enjoy the food and the harder a time my stomach has dealing with it.
To put it another way, at Thanksgiving, I just want to eat in peace and enjoy the food.
Politics can — and should wait.
Some families are planning accordingly, the survey found. Almost half, 49%, want to have a total political conversation ban for all guests and family members during a Thanksgiving gathering. Ban or not, 63% plan to set boundaries around political discussions to prevent conflict.
Sounds like a wise move to me.
That’s definitely something I’d be thankful for.
There’s always Black Friday to fight about politics, after all.
