A national pediatrics organization released a post-election recommendation encouraging parents to talk to their children about Donald Trump’s election victory, so they can avoid long-term psychological trauma from it.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) represents more than 60,000 pediatricians nationwide. In an email sent out to members a few days after Trump’s surprising election victory, AAP CEO Karen Remley discussed the “disturbing rhetoric” following the election and how pediatricians could help children cope.
“[AAP members] requested advice on how to speak to children and families about the results, how to help each other cope with disturbing rhetoric, and how to explain news reports of protests. They have sought reassurance that our mission remains steadfast to advance policies that protect all children,” Remley says in the email.
Remley proceeds to offer advice that, while not overtly partisan, clearly treats Trump’s election victory as a psychologically devastating, and perhaps even physically dangerous, event.
“Take care of yourself first,” Remley advises. “Children depend on the adults around them to be and feel safe and secure. If you are anxious or angry, children are likely to be more affected by your emotional state than by your words.”
In another part of the letter, Remley implies Trump’s victory could be a source of real danger.
“Allow your child to express what he or she is feeling, including fear, anxiety, or anger,” she says. “Reassure your child of the steps that are being taken to keep him or her safe.”
In several links at the end of the email, Remley encourages pediatricians to direct parents to AAP information pages regarding “Childhood Exposure to Violence” and “How To Support Your Child’s Resilience In A Time Of Crisis.” The specific crises mentioned in the latter link, which Trump’s election is thus being compared to, are the arrival of a major hurricane and the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The AAP’s email was forwarded to The Daily Caller News Foundation by a pediatrician who said it bothered him so much, he decided to quit the organization after being a member more than 20 years.
“To my knowledge, we were not warned about [health dangers] after the election of Barack Obama, or his reelection,” pediatrician George Fidone told TheDCNF. “This is a political agenda, not for children’s health, just fulfilling a very left-wing political ideology.”
Fidone said he’d never seen such a message put out for an election before, but only for violent events like the 9/11 attacks and the Orlando nightclub shooting. Classing Trump’s victory with those events, he said, was abhorrent.
“[The article implied] an impending sense of danger, chaos for your children,” Fidone added. “They may all be at risk of some psychological harm from this election. That is absolutely a position I don’t share.”
It’s not the first time the AAP has enmeshed itself in a political topic that goes beyond ordinary medicine. The group has advocated for increased gun control measures such as renewing the federal assault weapons ban. The group’s president has also encouraged pediatricians to embrace transgenderism in children as young as five.
The AAP did not respond to a request for comment about the email.
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