“A well-informed citizenry is the backbone of a healthy democracy,” writes Lindsey Cormack in her 2024 book How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It). She contends that raising engaged and informed citizens is an often-overlooked aspect of parenting. Cormack persuasively argues that parents have an essential role in talking with their children about politics, and she provides age-appropriate ways to do so.
Cormack’s book is a must-read for parents concerned about the state of our politics and wanting a better future. However, it’s not just for parents. Whether you are well-versed in the Constitution or want to be better informed, this easy-to-read and insightful book is a handy reference.
A 2022 study by the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania found that only 47 percent of U.S. adults could name the three branches of government. Widespread lack of understanding of our political processes contributes to lack of engagement, lower voter turnout and erosion in trust of government.
Cormack is associate professor of political science at Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, and a contributor to numerous media outlets. She sees firsthand that many college-aged students don’t know how to vote, haven’t read the Constitution and lack understanding of the division of responsibilities among the branches of government. Cormack tells her students that politics will happen to us whether we like it or not, so it’s better to understand how the system works.
Schools can’t solve this issue alone. Civics education varies by state. Relentless teaching-to-the-test takes time away from civics, which is often crammed into one semester rather than taught over multiple school years. In today’s fractious environment, teachers and administrators fear backlash from multiple sources.
Avoiding politics or only discussing the negative is not the solution. Cormack advises parents to help kids understand things government is responsible for, such as roads, clean drinking water, public schools and local parks. Parents should point out bright spots that are the result of government actions. “Knowing how our government is structured is valuable because it allows you to better understand why things do or do not happen, and what you can do to change that,” she writes.
Cormack gives examples of how to engage children ages 5-9, 10-14 and 15-18. She proposes celebrating local community achievements and people who have had a positive impact, regardless of political affiliation. She encourages parents to take their kids with them when voting and find opportunities to meet a local elected official.
The second part of the book is a valuable primer about the foundational elements of our government, the Constitution and all 27 amendments. She explains separation of powers, checks and balances in the system, rule of law, and the concept of federalism – where power is shared between federal, state and local government.
“Debating whether the United States is a democracy or republic is foolish – it’s a democratic republic, incorporating elements of both systems,” Cormack writes. She emphasizes the importance of knowing the basics of voter registration and voting procedures, being prepared to vote, as well as understanding primaries vs. general elections and federal vs. state vs. local elections.
Adopted in 1788, the Constitution sets forth the principles and structures upon which the government operates. Cormack argues that the more one understands the Constitution, the better able one is to understand roles of government, rights within our system and how to effectively participate.
All seven articles of the Constitution are summarized, delineating the roles of the three branches of government and the states, establishing the Constitution as the supreme law of the land and setting forth how amendments are adopted. Cormack highlights specific things to know about each article.
The Constitution provides the structure of government; subsequent amendments established rights of the people. Adopted in 1791, the Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or to the people.
Knowing which level of government holds power is the first step in trying to make a difference. Cormack outlines the varying federal, state and local government roles with respect to major issues such as foreign policy, immigration, taxes, health care, the environment, public safety, education and the economy.
Cormack concludes, “By avoiding discussions about politics and government with our children, we leave them ill-prepared to navigate the realities of our world…Political self-efficacy is all but impossible to harness if you don’t understand how the system operates…It is my hope that by talking to our children, we can usher in a better, more caring, and more thoughtful system of politics.”.
Following a career in state government public service, Karen Witter of Springfield is helping her grandkids to understand and appreciate good citizenship.
This article appears in November 13-19, 2025.
