Tag: Lisa Bitel

Subscribe to E-news USC Dornsife experts explain how growing polarization in political and religious beliefs have made traditional holiday gatherings a challenge for families to navigate, and how to avoid a big blowout. Bitel notes that religious beliefs often overlap with political viewpoints. But public opinion surveys by the Pew Research Center have indicated that thread is fraying. Nearly a quarter of American adults in the most recent survey, released in 2015, had no religious affiliation, up from 16 percent in 2007. Politics is so much a part of the conversation these days. We should direct our anger towards things that actually deserve it.” Ever since that study, Kaplan has pondered how to prompt a change in the brain’s responses to bring people together. “What is your personal priority for this family gathering?” Margolin says. “Do you want to have a political discussion with somebody who sees things differently and turn this into an opportunity to learn something new? Or talk with new family members about their family traditions growing up?” Margolin says that even if someone else brings up divisive political issues, “be aware of your own hot buttons and don’t get drawn in on those discussions if you don’t want to have a political argument. You can think in advance about ways to sidestep the argument and guide the conversation in directions that you want it to go.” Ultimately, Margolin says, family gatherings over the holidays are intended to maintain family ties and history across generations.