Political difference
I (F17) have recently started talking to a guy, 'Fred ' (M16) We really click and have started opening up to each other, but we recently had a conversation about politics that left me feeling conflicted.
I consider myself an Independent, but on the social and policy issues I care about most, I lean very Democratic. Fred told me he supports the current administration, but he also admitted he doesn't follow politics closely and is mostly going off what he's 'heard' regarding the economy and immigration.
He seems very worried about our differences ruining our connection (he mentioned family trauma regarding political fights) and wants to keep things separate. However, for me, these values are tied to how I view the world.
We’ve agreed to talk in person tomorrow. I don’t think he’s a bad person, just maybe hasn't looked into the policies as deeply as I have
I really like him and want to pursue a relationship, but at the same time this will be an issue of conflict if I continue as I plan to go into politics and this is something that matters a lot to me
Edit: I’ve reflected on this more and I think part of what’s bothering me is that I don’t fully believe he’s as uninformed politically as he initially presented himself.
He’s in my friend’s history class where they discuss the current administration, and apparently he’s fairly vocal during more right-wing discussions.
So now I’m questioning whether he genuinely “doesn’t know much about politics,” or whether he realizes how I feel about these issues and is trying to soften/minimize his actual views because he doesn’t want to lose our connection.