As politics shifts from policy disagreements to core identity issues, navigating political discussion becomes increasingly difficult. As students transition beyond high school, many are beginning to learn to adapt and explore these difficult conversations.

Due to a lack of common ground and a widening gap in political ideologies of the left and right, political discussions have become tools used to foster understanding as politics begins to shift. 

The idea of political polarization represents the growing divide in ideology between individuals and political groups. 

According to the American Bar Association, political polarization can be described as if the ideologies representing the two parties are set at the 20-yard line, or “even closer to the end zone.”

“Democracy is more difficult when the two parties are polarized in this way—each located closer to the opposite ends of the political spectrum than to the middle. When voters face a choice between two 20-yard-line candidates,” the American Bar Association said, “and the voters themselves are largely split into two polarized groups with only a relatively few voters left in the center, then even in a 50-50 “purple” state, the election will produce an outcome that swings wildly one way or the other.” 

Due to a lack of common ground and a widening gap in political ideologies of the left and right, political discussions have become tools used to foster understanding as politics begins to shift.
The idea of political polarization represents the growing divide in ideology between individuals and political groups.
According to the American Bar Association, political polarization can be described as if the ideologies representing the two parties are set at the 20-yard line, or “even closer to the end zone.”
“Democracy is more difficult when the two parties are polarized in this way—each located closer to the opposite ends of the political spectrum than to the middle. When voters face a choice between two 20-yard-line candidates,” the American Bar Association said, “and the voters themselves are largely split into two polarized groups with only a relatively few voters left in the center, then even in a 50-50 “purple” state, the election will produce an outcome that swings wildly one way or the other.”

Combatting political polarization is no easy feat, especially as social media and modern news consumption continue to intensify political division among Americans.
According to Pew Research Center, partisan hostility has steadily increased over the past several decades, contributing to a political climate where compromise has become increasingly difficult.
“Republicans and Democrats are more divided along ideological lines — and partisan antipathy is deeper and more extensive — than at any point in the last two decades,” Pew Research Center said.

As polarization grows, universities and researchers have emphasized the importance of civil discourse and open discussion as methods used to navigate political disagreement.
According to Harvard Graduate School of Education, productive political conversations require individuals to actively listen and engage with perspectives outside their own beliefs.
“Democracy depends on people learning how to talk across disagreement,” the Harvard Graduate School of Education said. “Young people need opportunities to practice respectful dialogue and critical thinking.”