The upcoming 2024 U.S. General Election provides an opportunity for parents to promote their children’s lifelong health and well-being by encouraging early civic engagement education. Recent research has emphasized the link between civic engagement and health outcomes, and pediatricians across the United States have responded to these findings by expanding efforts to encourage civic engagement among their patients. The Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP), encourages parents and caregivers to educate their children on civic engagement and include their children in their planned civic participation activities.
Benefits of Early Civic Engagement for Children’s Health and Well-Being
Talking to your children about the upcoming election and engaging them in the voting process is extremely important, because engaging children in the political process from an early age can yield lifelong social and economic benefits. According to a new study, youth civic engagement in the form of volunteering, voting, and activism, is associated with higher educational attainment and income levels in adulthood. By instilling in your child the importance of civic engagement, you can encourage their lifelong participation in the political process, thereby promoting positive health and well-being outcomes for your child.
How Parents and Caregivers Can Educate Children on Civic Engagement to Promote their Lifelong Health and Well-Being
- Before you head to the polls or complete your ballot at home, talk to your child about the candidates who are on the ballot. You can also talk with your child about how whoever is voted into office will have an effect on the things they care about most.
- Prep your child for what to expect at the polls by explaining what the voting process will be like. Make sure that your child is aware that there could potentially be long lines, and make sure that your child has something to occupy themselves in case there is a wait to vote.
- Take your child with you to your polling place. Children are allowed to join their parents at the polls in all 50 states as well as in Washington, D.C., but some states have certain rules about how many children are permitted, so it’s a good idea to call your local election commission ahead of time if you’re planning on bringing more than one or two children. When you get to your confidential voting booth, fill out the ballot yourself, then have your child either pull the lever, push the button, or help feed your ballot into the machine (however it’s done in your area!). Playing an active role in your vote will make a more lasting impression on your child and help them feel more like an active participant in the election.
- Follow up with your child on the results of the election. You can tell them how many people in your area showed up to vote, and how many people in your state
Call to Action
As we gear up for the November 5th election, parents and caregivers are encouraged to engage their children in the voting/election process and to vote in support of policies that will promote children’s health and well-being.
Parents and caregivers should prepare to vote by confirming the location of their polling place and making transportation arrangements. For those planning to vote y mail, the deadline to request an absentee ballot in Pennsylvania is October 29 by 5:00 PM ET, and all mail-in ballots must be received by Tuesday, November 5th at 8PM. Pennsylvania voters have options on how to return their mail ballot: by mail, at a drop box, at their county election office, or other officially designated location. Find a list of ballot return locations by county here.
For more information on how pediatricians can get involved in suicide prevention and to access resources, visit https://www.paaap.org/get-out-the-vote-2024.html
For more information on how to educate your kids about voting visit https://www.paaap.org/get-out-the-vote-2024.html
Follow the Pennsylvania AAP on social media.
Facebook @PAChapter.AAP | X @pa_aap | Instagram @PAChapterAAP
The PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of more than 2,400 primary care pediatricians and pediatric medical and surgical subspecialists from across the Commonwealth who are dedicated to the health, safety, and well-being of Pennsylvania’s infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
