164
submitted 2 months ago by ieatmeat@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world

For some context, we are first generation immigrants. My parents are Russian, my mother and her husband have been living here for 20 years (even got rid of Russian citizenship couple years ago), my biological father is still living in Russia.

It's damn exhausting to discuss political topics with them, especially my father. He keeps telling me how great it is to live in Russia, how their economy is doing great and how he's proud that they are defending their "brothers" in Donezk and Luhansk from the evil bandera regime in Ukraine.

My mom voted far right in the past election. She doesn't believe she voted for nazis, but the party's views on economics, climate policy and immigration seem to align with hers. She believes wind farms are harmful for the environment. What the actual fuck.

Whenever I try to argue with them, they tell me that I've been brainwashed by "Western propaganda".

I'm at a loss. I love my parents and I know that nobody's immune to propaganda, but it's heartbreaking to see them holding these toxic beliefs. How would you deal with parents like these? Should I just declare to never talk about politics with them again since it's pointless?

(page 2) 42 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] tetris11@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 months ago

It helps if you have siblings on your side who can shout them down. Genuinely. 3 vs 1, or 3 vs 2 is still enough to open their minds on some topics.

Meet force with force, but only if you have an army. If you're an only child, a more subversive approach is required

[-] steeznson@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

My parents are more right wing than me and I tend to just change to conversation topic or make non-commital comments about their opinions.

From my perspective it seems like a general trend towards becoming more right wing for a lot of older people and I'm definitely not going to change their mindset which has been set over 75+ years. I try to just enjoy the time I have with them while I still have them.

[-] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 3 points 2 months ago

Well, one of mine died and it turns out the other one turned Trumper because she had developed dementia so I don't hold it against her.

Have you tried that?

[-] ieatmeat@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Idk death and dementia don't seem like a feasible solution to me

[-] PolyLlamaRous@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

Books or audio books on the subject of cults and conspiracy theories help to both understand this and eventually know what to do about it.

Unfortunately, you arguing with them about it most likely did only damage and no good. Stop. It will only make your parents more right wing (and you left) then drive you both crazy.

Here is a good place to start if you like: Hivemind by A.Montell Cultish BA S.cavanagh

Hit me up if you want more. But it's a complicated subject that can't be explained in a short lemmy post. If you want any other advice, OP, eatsomeveggies.

[-] sumguyonline@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

Tell them this, Can't buy a house under Republicans,can't buy a house under Democrats, while it's great it worked out for them. You are not represented as a voter and they need to get their heads out of their ass. That is, if they try to push conservative ideas. Otherwise, let them be happy and stupid. The misery is coming for them eventually, so why rush them.

[-] gencha@lemm.ee 2 points 2 months ago

You can't win, unless you delete their social media. There is nothing you can say or do that won't be erased by their next Facebook visit. They are also co-dependent and will not divert from their course individualy

[-] shaggyb@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago
[-] LouNeko@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

It's damn exhausting to discuss political topics with them, [...]

Then don't, and if that's the only thing they're willing to talk about, make passive aggressive remarks about their lack of conversational creativity.

[-] BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago
[-] ieatmeat@lemmy.world 1 points 2 months ago
[-] stringere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

I cut them off.

[-] njm1314@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago
[-] iowagneiss@midwest.social 1 points 2 months ago

I moved a couple states away from my family to minimize any interaction. It's not just politics. Their politics are, however, and indicator that they're not the type of people I want to associate with, so the extra distance facilitates less contact.

Of course, I moved to Iowa, which has since shifted from purplish to red. At least I'm on a blue city.

[-] Idontevenknowanymore@mander.xyz 1 points 2 months ago

Think about attending the funerals if you need the closure but you're under no obligation.

[-] tiredofsametab@fedia.io 1 points 2 months ago

I'm low-contact with a couple of my core family. When we do meet, the other relatives are usually nice enough to just stop any political conversations or rants. Every once in a while, one slips through and I just ignore it, but our interactions have become infrequent enough that it's maybe yearly.

It's heartbreaking to both see some real opinions in some cases (some of which are products of their eras, and some of which have softened), but I also mourn the lack of immunity to conspiracy theories and propeganda on the other; I have seen almost a polar shift in one relative that really shocks me.

[-] sit@lemmy.dbzer0.com 0 points 2 months ago

We consciously make an effort to either not talk about certain topics or we try to not get too deep into certain topics. This doesn’t always work and we clash, but the clashes don’t cause as much trouble as they used to.

Often I just listen to them and try to support them through the concerns they have. I’m aware that they influence me, being aware helps to either ask them or myself critical questions.

Friends & Family > politics

Now one could argue I’m not serious with my stance and I’m weakly backboned. Id answer that this is my family and I’d advise you don’t put politics over friends & family or you will end up alone at some point.

[-] RowRowRowYourBot@sh.itjust.works 2 points 2 months ago

the challenge Im facing is that some if my family voted to put me and the people I love in camps.

How do I deal with that?

[-] ShiverMeTimbers@lemm.ee -1 points 2 months ago

Feed them gotcha questions. Treat it as a mental exercise.

load more comments (2 replies)
[-] x4740N@lemm.ee -2 points 2 months ago

Ghost them as soon as possible and leave the country and naturalise elsewhere if possible

[-] danileonis@lemmy.ml -4 points 2 months ago

Science. Use the truth: find articles, researches and data.

load more comments (2 replies)
load more comments
view more: ‹ prev next ›
this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2025
164 points (92.7% liked)

Ask Lemmy

31597 readers
1362 users here now

A Fediverse community for open-ended, thought provoking questions


Rules: (interactive)


1) Be nice and; have funDoxxing, trolling, sealioning, racism, and toxicity are not welcomed in AskLemmy. Remember what your mother said: if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. In addition, the site-wide Lemmy.world terms of service also apply here. Please familiarize yourself with them


2) All posts must end with a '?'This is sort of like Jeopardy. Please phrase all post titles in the form of a proper question ending with ?


3) No spamPlease do not flood the community with nonsense. Actual suspected spammers will be banned on site. No astroturfing.


4) NSFW is okay, within reasonJust remember to tag posts with either a content warning or a [NSFW] tag. Overtly sexual posts are not allowed, please direct them to either !asklemmyafterdark@lemmy.world or !asklemmynsfw@lemmynsfw.com. NSFW comments should be restricted to posts tagged [NSFW].


5) This is not a support community.
It is not a place for 'how do I?', type questions. If you have any questions regarding the site itself or would like to report a community, please direct them to Lemmy.world Support or email info@lemmy.world. For other questions check our partnered communities list, or use the search function.


6) No US Politics.
Please don't post about current US Politics. If you need to do this, try !politicaldiscussion@lemmy.world or !askusa@discuss.online


Reminder: The terms of service apply here too.

Partnered Communities:

Tech Support

No Stupid Questions

You Should Know

Reddit

Jokes

Ask Ouija


Logo design credit goes to: tubbadu


founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS