Has This Election Divided Your Family?

Facebook has become a war zone for me this election. With a large extended family dotted across the county, I've been getting updates from all over the place about one person's support for Obama, another's love of Romney, and everything in between. Friends and family want to make clear their views on abortion and gay rights at the click of a "like" button. I'm being pestered about Prop 30 and Prop 37, badgered about the economy and inundated with Romney and Obama memes.

It's enough to cause a family feud. I agree that it probably shouldn't be — after all, it's just social media. But it's still sometimes hard to believe your loved ones could take such a different political perspective from you, considering that they share the same bloodline and perhaps a very similar upbringing.

My family seems to have been split in two ways: firstly, there are those on the "conservative" side of things and there are those on the "liberal" side of things. But the second split has been between those who are willing to argue about it, and those who aren't. For those who have argued, there may never be full resolution, and the scars will remain long after the ballots are counted. For those who chose not to argue, there may be a new sense of distrust toward the family members who have shown that their true political colors are of a very different hue.

I tried to stick to the rule of speaking only when spoken to — unless I deemed the need to be dire, which I did, on three occasions —and letting it go if I feel that the other person is not receiving my opinions with an open mind and an honest curiosity to understand both sides of the debate. But it has been hard, and I'll be thankful when election season is over so that the wounds can start to heal, aided by the warm, loving glow of the holiday season ahead. 

How has your family been affected by this election? Share your trials and triumphs in the comments below.