Families discussing the war find that their points of view differ.
By Kimiko Martinez
Lifestyles Editor
They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
And usually they’re right.
But as the United States delves deeper in the war with Iraq, families are finding out just how diverse their political views may be.
While the current political climate has inspired many families to openly discuss views on war, President George W. Bush and his administration’s foreign policies, many are also uncovering the diverse range of beliefs within their circle of relatives.
From staunchly conservative pro-war advocates to passionate pacifists, more and more families are learning to agree to disagree while maintaining respectful dialogue regarding the current situation.
“My parents are die-hard Republicans, die-hard Bush supporters,” senior Morgan Fink said. “Almost all of my parents and my political beliefs are different, but we talk about everything.”
Although many students have similar views with their parents, the serious issues facing the nation has brought about a lot of discussion among family members. One student said his family had an ongoing e-mail conversation regarding the merits of the “just” war theory. Others simply find themselves talking more about politics with their parents than usual.
“We have pretty much nailed down that the main difference between our beliefs on the war center around my parents trusting President Bush’s motives and me not,” Fink said.
And that difference in perspective is especially prevalent in students studying abroad. Many who are currently overseas have a unique outside perspective on political events that parents may lack.
“I feel like I know more about how the rest of the world feels than (my parents) do,” said Catherine Redfearn, a sophomore in Florence. “I feel like I give them information, sort of educating them, but it’s nice we can share what’s going on and both get a better picture of it.”
Political science professor Dr. Joel Fetzer isn’t surprised. He said he encourages students to go overseas for just that reason.
“The extent to which the American public is really deprived of the truth is quite appalling,” he said. “I strongly encourage students to study abroad. You can’t really know what the U.S. is all about unless you get out of it.”
Just as some Pepperdine students are currently finding themselves on the opposite side of the fence than their parents and loved ones, Fetzer recalls those formative teen years when his political and theological views began to deviate from those of his parents. In fact, he’d been in France for seven months as an undergrad when he came to realize that “not everyone thinks the way my parents thought.”
Growing up in a military household with a fundamentalist Pentecostal background, Fetzer, who later became a Mennonite, said he slowly began to notice inconsistencies between his parents’ beliefs and their actions.
“I came to the conclusion that my parents, especially my father’s theological views, wasn’t consistent with his political views, especially regarding foreign policy,” Fetzer said, “and the extent to which violence is acceptable.”
Fetzer calls his dad, a former bomber pilot who was also involved in intelligence, a Cold War warrior. But he is quick to point out that the two “respect each other quite a lot.”
Luckily, it seems that families are not being torn apart as they were during the Vietnam War era. Perhaps having that background, parents are more willing to accept alternative viewpoints as they themselves may have once held. Others may simply recognize the fact that college is a time when many people’s belief systems are challenged.
“My dad thinks that it is possible that God will use Bush to avenge all the evil Saddam has committed,” Fink said. “I tell him if we are going to bring God into this, then why couldn’t God be using Russia and Germany as peacemakers. I will not justify war by using God.”
With Homeland Security measures helping to filter the news the American public receive, those outside the United States recognize the bias and have no problems calling the media on it.
“My mom is a staunch Republican and pretty much thinks Bush walks on water and can do no wrong,” said Christina Naber, a sophomore in the Florence program. “She watched American news with an American slant so she doesn’t understand all the sides. I don’t get into political discussions with her because she doesn’t understand my view that I don’t think we should go to war.”
Originally from Texas, Redfearn said her family “has always supported (President) Bush” and was actually a little surprised when they began to question “everything that’s going on.”
“I think a lot of (my mom’s worry about me being abroad) has to do with the media and what she hears,” Redfearn said, “like the propaganda and what Saddam is capable of.”
The same is true for South America.
“(The Argentines) don’t realize there’s a lack of information here,” Lauren Haveman said, down in Buenos Aires. “I can see the bias in the Argentine newspapers about America and the country.”
Edward Leon’s Argentine home stay father explained the negative sentiment was more anti-Bush than anti-American.
But it’s all a part of the learning experience. Although unpleasant, Operation Iraqi Freedom is providing a platform for learning and discussion on all levels, whether it’s between family members, colleagues or hosts in another country.
March 27, 2003