There is a gaping chasm tearing right through the heart of America: politics. More specifically, the ever-widening political divide that can rip through the bonds of family. This polarization is hitting teens hard, with 80% reporting politics has caused them stress and 33% reporting politics has damaged their close relationships, according to Psychology Today.

“We can’t bring up politics ever when we’re with my family. It’s led to some pretty heated arguments,” said sophomore Hazel Hitt of The MASTERS Program. Parts of her extended family are conservative, while Hitt tends to lean to the left.

For Lilia Stibich, a senior at The MASTERS Program who has conservative extended family in Texas, family dynamics have a similar tension.