When Family Members Have Different Political Views

March 17, 2026

Father and son watching tv during pandemic

It seems that political conversations听are no longer welcome at the dinner table. Following the 2024 election, 72 percent of Americans wanted to avoid political discussions with family members over the holidays, according to the听. With so much division, you may wonder how to deal with family members with different political views.听

鈥淵ou have choices,鈥� says听Dr. Daniel Knoepflmacher, vice chair of education in the Department of Psychiatry at AV研究所 and director of the general psychiatry residency program at AV研究所/NewYork-Presbyterian. 鈥淜now yourself and consider the other people who are talking and listening.鈥澨�听

Choosing to Engage听With听Different Political Views听

It can be difficult to navigate political differences, but it is possible to听maintain听a connection even when views clash. If a loved one wants to discuss politics, approaching the conversation with specific intentions can help keep the dialogue productive.听

Avoid moral judgments.听It鈥檚听possible to disagree with others and remain friends. Focus on the ideas rather than attacking the person and labeling them as 鈥渨rong鈥� or 鈥渆vil.鈥澨�听
Be curious.听A good way听to find common ground is to look for it. 鈥淩esearch shows you can reduce political conflict by staying curious,鈥澨鼶r.听听Knoepflmacher听says. 鈥淚n general, it鈥檚 better to ask听how听rather than听why听questions.鈥�听
Communicate your feelings.听If tension rises, be open and honest. Name your discomfort.听听
Disengage if necessary.听Sometimes,听there鈥檚听no way to make a conversation with family members fruitful, and听that鈥檚听OK. Be willing to walk away to protect your mental health.听

Prefer Not to Mix Family and Political Conversation?听

Talking politics with passive-aggressive or plain aggressive family members can be frustrating. It may be better to avoid these talks if you feel:听

Burned out on politics听
Offended by past conflicts with loved ones听
Stressed out听听

To avoid political talk, Dr.听Knoepflmacher听recommends setting expectations early. Tell your loved ones you听诲辞苍鈥檛听intend to talk politics. Instead, focus on common values and other shared experiences that unite you with your family.听听

In the event the conversation turns to politics, practice the art of distraction.听

鈥淪teer the topic away,鈥� Dr.听Knoepflmacher听says. 鈥淜ids and pets are good distractions, but people听诲辞苍鈥檛听always get the message. Things might escalate. You might have to ask to talk about something else.鈥�听

When tension persists even when changing the topic, it may be time to connect with a family therapist. This expert can help your family move toward understanding and peace.听

Wrapping It Up听With听Diplomacy听听

Talking with family members about health care, immigration and other topics can all become uncomfortable political conversations. Learning how to navigate these can help you听maintain听good mental health while keeping strong relationships with your loved ones.听

If you choose to engage with family members who have different political values, remember the ABCDs.听Avoid moral judgments,听be curious,听communicate how you feel and听disengage if necessary.听
Sometimes,听it鈥檚听better not to talk politics at all. Avoid political conversations if听you鈥檙e听burned out, stressed out or reeling from harm caused during听previous听political discussions.听
When all else fails, reach out to a professional therapist with听expertise听in helping families move toward unity.听

Navigating complex relationships and political tension can take a toll on your mental health. You听诲辞苍鈥檛听have to manage the stress alone.听听at AV研究所 who can help.听

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Clinical Service

Psychiatry

Practice

Weill Cornell Psychiatry Specialty Center

Physician

Daniel Knoepflmacher

AV研究所