Most Adults in U.S. Prefer to Skip Political Talks This Holiday Season

The Shift Towards Avoiding Politics This Holiday Season

Amidst the backdrop of a highly polarizing election, it comes as little surprise that many Americans are looking to avoid political discussions during the holiday season. According to a recent survey from the American Psychological Association (APA), a significant majority of U.S. adults are expressing a desire to keep family gatherings free of contentious political debates.

Over 70% of those surveyed, approximately 72%, indicated their preference to avoid political discussions altogether with family members during the holidays. This avoidance stems from a greater wish to preserve relationships rather than engage in potentially divisive debates. Interestingly, while a notable 65% of respondents reported not being overly concerned that political discussions would harm their family relationships during the festive season, nearly 39% admitted feeling anxious at the thought of politics creeping into their holiday conversations.

The survey underscores how some individuals are even choosing to keep their distance from family members with whom they have differing political views. Nearly 38% of adults claimed they would skip interactions altogether with relatives who hold opposing viewpoints. This trend is especially pronounced among younger individuals; 45% of adults ranging from 18 to 34 and 47% in the 35 to 44 age bracket expressed plans to avoid certain family members compared to just 23% of those aged 65 and older.

Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD and CEO of the APA, commented on the situation, stating, “Leading up to the 2024 presidential election, many Americans faced prolonged worry and uncertainty, which can significantly impact our well-being and relationships. Avoiding conflict is not the same as coping with stress. If we distance ourselves from others due to anticipated disagreements, we risk losing the relationships that are crucial for our well-being, especially during stressful times.”

The APA revealed in its earlier 2024 Stress in America™ survey that around 77% of U.S. adults recognized the future of the nation as a significant source of anxiety in their lives. Following the election, The Harris Poll conducted another survey from November 25 to 27, 2024, to gauge sentiment. The results unveiled that 35% of the respondents now feel more anxious about the country's future compared to the pre-election period. Conversely, 32% felt less stressed and 24% reported their stress levels remained unchanged.

A key observation from the data indicated that those who feel more stressed about the future of the nation are also disproportionately more likely to wish to avoid political discussions at family gatherings (80% vs. 65%) and find the prospect of political conversations stressful (50% compared to 33%).

An overwhelming majority—83%—agreed that the holiday season is an opportunity to set aside political differences, regardless of their candidate's outcome or evolving stress levels regarding national issues. In fact, 71% stated that they look forward to celebrating the holidays as a distraction from their stressors.

Despite the prevailing tension surrounding the election results, many Americans value their relationships with family and friends more than their political disagreements. Evans remarked, “While conversations around politics can be challenging, striving to understand differing perspectives can actually enrich family bonds.”

For those eager to connect despite their differing political beliefs, the APA provides several helpful tips for navigating these sensitive discussions:
1. Be open and kind. Focus on listening and asking questions to understand where the other person is coming from rather than preparing a counterargument.
2. Seek common ground. Identify shared values despite differing viewpoints on specific issues.
3. Accept that changing someone's mind is unlikely; instead, focus on sharing your own experiences.
4. Remember the holidays are about unity and create positive memories together.
5. Recognize when it’s time to end the conversation. If emotions rise, suggest changing the topic or participating in another activity, reinforcing the importance of the relationship.

With effective strategies and understanding, families can foster a more harmonious holiday atmosphere void of political discord.