Kids and Politics...

Our son is trying to decide on a topic for a research paper he has been assigned to write. The topic he proposed this morning was to research the upcoming presidential election. He didn't understand why I suggested that he choose another topic that is more narrowly focused. To his young mind the topics of politics is pretty cut and dry. He is more likely to have his opinion swayed by cheap campaign signs right now than by facts. Understanding politics is hard for an adult to do let alone someone with 12 years on this earth. I also pointed out to him that it is very early in the campaign process and there are not clear candidates to research. As it stands his paper would not be focused narrowly enough to fit the scope of the assignment. I would like to read what he would have to say on the topic but given the time frame he has to write the paper he needs to choose something more clear cut to research.