When politicians want our votes, they ask us to elect them in order to serve not only us “but our children and children’s children.”

That is a great goal in government. However, politicians leave that commitment to our posterity behind once elected and become very bad examples to our children.

Dr. Laura Kastner, an expert on parenting, notes: “Every parent wants their child to be respectful, kind and thoughtful. But we also want them to be socially intelligent — able to navigate teasing, resist peer pressure, stand up to bullies and never become one themselves. It’s a tall order. And it’s harder than ever in a culture where incivility and bullying are on the rise, not just among children, but among adults, too.”

Drs. Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein, also parent educators, further advise: “Children learn behavior by observing adults. … Without positive role models who consistently display civil behaviors, it is difficult for children to learn the attitudes and practices associated with civility.”

If we seek to find good role models from today’s politicians and elected officials, we have a task before us. They are very rare. And, when discussions about civility arise, often a challenge such as “you just don’t like Donald Trump” arises even when Trump is not mentioned.

Trump is not alone in failing our children. President Joe Biden, in my view, was hypocritical and a bad example of selfishness, Hunter Biden seemed to be a textbook case for ethical violations. And Democrats condone actions done by Democrats while condemning the same actions when done by Republicans. I could go on.

But a president has a bully pulpit which provides an opportunity to speak out and be listened to. The term bully pulpit was coined by President Theodore Roosevelt, who spoke of the presidency as a great platform from which to advocate. Roosevelt used the word “bully” to mean “superb” or “wonderful.”

Lonnie Groot is a Daytona Beach Shores attorney who has represented municipal governments throughout Central Florida. (Courtesy photo)

The way that Trump misuses his bully pulpit not only degrades the presidency, but also encourages our children to be uncivil.

Trump’s list of loathsome behavior is long. Recently, however, he seems unbridled with any sense of dignified restraint.

Trump called a female reporter “piggy.” He disrespected another reporter by calling her employer “crappy” while threatening government action against her network. He excused a Saudi Arabian prince whom U.S. intelligence concluded had approved of a Saudi journalist’s killing; he berated an American journalist who asked a legitimate question about the slaying.

We cannot expect our children to act with civility, kindness or thoughtfulness if our president has no ability or desire to do so. And we cannot expect our children to have the respect of the world and grow into world leaders with high standards and dignity if we do not demand our president to demonstrate those traits.

Lonnie Groot is a Daytona Beach Shores attorney who has represented municipal governments throughout Central Florida.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/11/23/commentary-politicians-are-bad-examples-for-our-children/