Everyone Has an Opinion

By Kim Roberts

If you’ve been on social media recently, you have quickly seen that everyone has an opinion on everything. And, most of the time, there are more people disagreeing and arguing with each other than supporting each other.

You probably have seen things posted that have been shocking and disturbing from people that you thought you had some commonalities.

Social media is a battle ground not only for adults, but also for our children. I have seen more and more people posting, “if you don’t like what I’m saying, unfriend me.”

I started to think about that word “unfriend” and what that brings to mind. Do I want my child to be “unfriended” because she has a different opinion than someone else or vice versa? Absolutely not. I don’t care much for this cancel culture we are living in and how quickly the word “unfriend” is thrown around.

My husband and I have always tried to teach our children to standup for their opinions and values, but not to devalue others in the process. If ever the Golden Rule should be used on a daily basis, now is the time. In today’s world and culture, if everyone remembered to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” before they posted anything, it might make people think before they “unfriended” anyone.

I hope that my husband and I have raised individuals who listen and try to understand others with different views, whom they might disagree with and search for a common ground whenever possible and not just throw away a friend because they have a different view or opinion.

It’s really simple, treat others the way you want to be treated, and I would venture to guess no one wants to be “unfriended.”