You know what’s sexy? Voting. And discussing politics on a date? Well, that's a huge DO. When I heard Hillary Clinton's presidential announcement would be coming out today, the first thing I did was read a piece about it in the New York Times. I wanted to educate myself about her communiqué, learn her next steps, and find out which platforms and themes she’ll likely favor. I’m not hugely political — the closest I came to studying politics was a constitutional law class I took in college — but I have been voting since I was 18, and I take my right to vote seriously. I do this because I grew up in a family that values and discusses politics. I do this because I can, which was not the case before 1920, when the 19th Amendment was ratified. And as a result of knowing about politics, I can discuss them with the people in my life — my family, my friends, and the people I date.
There’s nothing worse than going on a date with someone who has no idea what’s going on in the world, or, worse, has no opinion on the state of affairs. Conversely, there’s nothing sexier than a person who can articulate in a smart and authentic way why he or she feels the way they do about a particular issue. That’s why voting is so sexy.
Not just voting, but informed voting — being proactive about briefing oneself on the candidates, their stances on hot-button issues and their messages, and then making a decision based on the facts. It’s attractive to be knowledgable about politics: It inspires better debate and discussion, and it can open up great conversations — on dates and in life. The idea that you should never talk about politics, religion, money or sex is wrong. Quite the contrary: We should talk about all four, as much and as liberally as possible. Of course, like all things, there is a time and place for such confabs, but it’s vital to discuss such topics among friends and family, and in our romantic lives.
No question: If a woman is smart when it comes to politics, that makes her sexier. The antiquated picture of a ‘50s housewife who is bubbly and ditzy and shares the politics of her husband is not just wrong, it’s outdated beyond belief. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that most men want women who are opinionated and have their own deeply rooted values. This should not come as a shock.
Don’t get me wrong: It’s not just necessary to know about politics for the sake of dating. That’s a ridiculous notion. But being up on politics — especially in the year leading up to a presidential election, and such a significant election in particular — is part of being a bright, well-informed adult. That’s the kind of person I want to date. Call me crazy, but that’s the kind of person most people want to date, I’d wager.
I remember a particularly heated Thanksgiving dinner at my grandparents’ house a few years ago. It was around the time of Obama’s second term, and everyone was expressing their thoughts and concerns. Amid the passing of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and gravy, we talked and yelled across the table about healthcare, women’s rights and immigration policies. We didn’t all agree. But we all had a chance to say our piece.
In a relationship, or even in a courtship, this is crucial. There’s no way two people are going to agree on everything. But agreeing to disagree is a powerful tool, and a debate about politics is a great way to respect another person’s opinion without overstepping one’s bounds.
With Clinton’s candidacy announced, and the possibility of our first woman president closer than ever before, we should all take the time to learn about her, learn about her politics, learn about her opponents and make informed decisions. Whether you plan to vote for her or not, we should follow her along her path from now until Election Day next year. This is not just because she’s a woman, and we’re women — I believe everyone in the country should do this. If nothing else, she is making history — and it’s important to pay attention to history. You know what they say about it repeating itself.
Watch Clinton's campaign video below:
