How to Talk to a Son About Immigration

Whichever side of a border you happen to be on, immigration may be the focus of a father/son chat. It can be a touchy subject for some, so it helps to be a little tactful about the issue. With good information and an open mind, you can have a great conversation about immigration while getting to know your son and his beliefs. The following ideas will help you to discuss immigration with your son.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Explain your feelings and thoughts on the subject. If you are a proponent of or against immigration, lay out your reasons.
2. Use statistics. If you are trying to explain a policy or sentiment, numbers can clarifying talking points on immigration. Get your hands on some estimates that reflect what you are talking about.
3. Summarize the ways that the issue plays out in politics in your country or the one you want to move to. Exploring relevant politics helps you and your son get a clearer picture of the impact of immigration.
4. Involve family policies. You may have a family member living legally or illegally in another country. Explain your family's stance on the issue.
5. Talk about legality. Legal perspectives on immigration sometimes differ a little. It might help to go over your best understanding of legality. Amnesty in particular is good to discuss, as the legality of an amnesty program can be a little complicated.
6. Be a good listener. Letting your son talk about the issue will help you figure out where he stands and how close together your ideas are.