Why Public Opinion Still Shapes Political Power

 Why Public Opinion Still Shapes Political Power

Written By Kendesi Mohammed 

In every democracy, power begins and ends with the people. Public opinion is not background noise in politics. It is the foundation upon which political authority stands or collapses.

From the United States to Guyana, elected officials ultimately answer to voters. Ballots determine who governs. Approval ratings influence political strategy. Public sentiment shapes which policies survive and which quietly disappear. When citizens shift their views, political systems respond.

Elections are the most visible expression of this relationship. Candidates campaign on messages crafted to resonate with prevailing public concerns. If voters are worried about inflation, crime, education, or healthcare, those issues rise to the top of political agendas. When public frustration reaches a tipping point, incumbents are replaced. When confidence is strong, leaders are rewarded with additional terms.

But public opinion influences politics long before Election Day.

Polling data guides legislative priorities. Town halls reveal local pressures. Social media accelerates reaction cycles, sometimes compressing what once took months into hours. A single viral moment can spark national debate, shift campaign messaging, or force a public official to clarify or reverse a position.

History offers powerful examples. Public sentiment during the Civil Rights Movement reshaped American law and expanded constitutional protections. Widespread opposition to prolonged wars has altered foreign policy trajectories. Cultural shifts around issues such as marriage equality and criminal justice reform demonstrate that sustained changes in public opinion can produce lasting legislative transformation.

At its core, public opinion provides legitimacy. Laws are easier to enforce when citizens believe they are fair. Policies endure when they reflect widely held values. When governments act in ways that significantly contradict the public will, resistance often follows, whether through protest, organized activism, or the ballot box.

Critics argue that public opinion can be volatile and misinformed. That is sometimes true. But democracy does not require perfection. It requires participation. The health of a political system depends on informed citizens engaging in dialogue, challenging power, and demanding accountability.

Public opinion also serves as a constraint. It reminds leaders that authority is borrowed, not owned. Even in polarized climates, elected officials ignore public sentiment at their own peril. The distance between the governed and those who govern determines political stability.

In an era of digital media, this dynamic is intensifying. Information spreads rapidly. Narratives form quickly. Communities organize with unprecedented speed. Public opinion now evolves in real time, and political institutions must adapt just as quickly.

Ultimately, politics is not only about policy. It is about consent. And consent is shaped by the collective voice of the people.

Public opinion does not merely influence politics. It defines its limits.

#PublicOpinion #Politics #Democracy #CivicEngagement #Leadership #Governance #Accountability #PoliticalPower #Policy #WashingtonPost

 The Making of a Man Begins at Home

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

In every community across America, we see the outcomes of upbringing play out in real time. We see it in our schools, our workplaces, our prisons, our boardrooms, and our homes. We talk about systems. We talk about policies. We talk about culture. But rarely do we talk honestly about responsibility inside the household.

If a man grows up in a single mother home and his mother is the primary architect of how he learns to interact with the world, then she plays a significant role in the man he becomes. That truth may be uncomfortable, but it is necessary.

This is not an attack on single mothers. Many perform heroic work under enormous pressure. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, millions of children in America live in single parent households, the majority led by women. Many of these mothers sacrifice deeply, working long hours, carrying emotional burdens alone, and doing their best with limited support.

But sacrifice does not remove responsibility.

When a mother becomes the primary and sometimes the only influence in a boy’s life, she shapes his worldview. She teaches him how to handle conflict. She teaches him how to treat women. She teaches him how to manage emotions, power, rejection, and ambition. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, she models what relationships look like and what masculinity means.

If she actively prevents him from building a relationship with his father, that decision carries consequences.

A father does not simply provide financial support. At his best, he provides perspective, discipline, identity, and example. A father models how a man moves in the world. He demonstrates how to navigate adversity, how to channel aggression productively, how to protect without controlling, and how to lead without dominating. When that influence is removed, especially by choice rather than circumstance, a vacuum is created.

That vacuum will be filled.

It may be filled by peers. It may be filled by the streets. It may be filled by social media influencers. It may be filled by anger.

We often see young men struggling with identity, authority, and accountability. We question why they lack direction or discipline. We debate criminal justice reform. We argue about education policy. But we do not always examine the foundation.

If a boy grows up hearing only one narrative about his father, particularly a negative one, it shapes how he views manhood itself. If he never witnesses healthy male leadership inside his own family, he may grow up confused about what strength actually looks like. Strength without guidance can turn into ego. Pain without mentorship can turn into violence. Rejection without understanding can turn into resentment.

None of this means that single mothers are solely to blame for every poor outcome. Social and economic forces matter. Poverty matters. Community matters. Access to education and opportunity matters.

But so does access to a father.

There are fathers who are absent by their own neglect. There are fathers who are harmful. In those cases, protection is necessary. There are also situations where fathers are willing but blocked, where pride, unresolved conflict, or bitterness between adults deprives a child of balance. In those cases, the child pays the price.

We must be mature enough as a society to hold two truths at once. Single mothers deserve respect and support. When they choose to raise a boy without allowing him to know his father, they bear responsibility for the social and emotional framework he inherits.

A child does not choose his circumstances. Adults do.

If we want stronger men, we must build stronger foundations. That means encouraging co parenting when safe and possible. That means putting children’s long term development ahead of adult disagreements. That means understanding that raising a boy is not simply about keeping him fed and clothed. It is about shaping how he will one day treat his partner, lead his family, and influence his community.

The making of a man does not begin in the streets. It begins at home.

Home is where accountability must live first.

#Opinion #Parenting #Fatherhood #SingleMothers #CoParenting #FamilyStructure #Accountability #RaisingBoys #Masculinity #Manhood #FamilyFirst #ChildDevelopment #SocialResponsibility #CommunityImpact #HealthyFamilies #LeadershipAtHome #BreakingCycles #ModernParenting #FathersMatter #StrongerMen

Written By Kendesi Mohammed  

Success in life is rarely determined by luck alone. It is shaped by mindset, resilience, and the ability to navigate challenges. When comparing children with low self-esteem to those who exhibit confidence, the differences in potential outcomes become strikingly clear.

Children with low self-esteem often doubt their abilities, fear failure, and struggle to assert themselves. These children may avoid challenges, feel anxious about social interactions, and hesitate to take risks even when opportunities arise. While they may have talent and intelligence, their lack of belief in themselves can prevent them from pursuing goals or persisting through setbacks.

Confident children, on the other hand, approach life with a sense of self-assurance. They are more willing to take calculated risks, voice their opinions, and explore new opportunities. Confidence does not mean they are never afraid or never fail. It means they trust in their ability to recover, learn, and grow. This mindset allows them to navigate obstacles more effectively and consistently take action toward their goals.

1. Resilience: Confident children are more likely to persevere after failures because they see mistakes as opportunities to learn.
    
2. Proactivity: They actively seek opportunities rather than waiting for things to happen.
    
3. Social Advantage: Confidence attracts support from peers, mentors, and teachers, providing networks that can open doors.
    
4. Motivation: Believing in their own worth fuels their drive to improve skills and achieve goals.
    

Yes. With proper guidance, encouragement, and skill-building, children with low self-esteem can develop confidence over time. Positive reinforcement, mentorship, and safe experiences where they can succeed help reframe their self-perception. However, without intervention, low self-esteem often remains a limiting factor that restricts potential.

While natural ability, environment, and resources play roles in a child’s success, confidence consistently stands out as a critical predictor. A child who believes in themselves is more likely to take action, learn from failures, and seize opportunities. Low self-esteem, if not addressed, can hold a child back even if they are talented or intelligent.

Ultimately, fostering confidence in children through support, challenges, and affirmation is one of the most impactful investments parents and educators can make for their future success.

#kendesi #kendesimohammed #kendesitv #kendesinews 

By delivering emotional support, structure, and intentional guidance, fathers play a critical role in shaping their children’s futures, far beyond the weekend baseball game or school event.

In classrooms, workplaces, and boardrooms across the nation, the long-term impact of father involvement is unmistakable. A growing body of psychological, sociological, and economic research shows that when fathers engage meaningfully in their children’s lives, those children fare better academically, develop healthier relationships, and are more likely to achieve financial stability as adults.

Traditionally, fathers were viewed primarily as providers. Today, however, research underscores a much broader and deeper influence.

Emotional Availability Matters

Children with emotionally responsive fathers show stronger emotional regulation, higher self-esteem, and fewer behavioral problems. Fathers who listen attentively, validate feelings, and offer consistent encouragement create safe emotional environments in which children learn to navigate stress and develop confidence.

Consistency Builds Confidence

Being present involves more than showing up. It means engaging in everyday routines such as meals, homework, and conversations that communicate, “You matter.” Children with involved fathers consistently demonstrate stronger academic performance and better social skills than their peers.

High Expectations with Support

Fathers who communicate belief in their children’s abilities contribute to a powerful psychological foundation. Supportive discipline, setting clear expectations while nurturing autonomy, helps children develop responsibility and self-control. These qualities are essential for success in college, careers, and personal relationships.

The influence of fathers reaches into the economic lives of their children. Studies reveal several key pathways through which engaged fathering contributes to wealth building and financial stability.

Educational Attainment Is Higher

Children with involved fathers are more likely to earn good grades, stay in school, and pursue higher education. Because educational achievement is a strong predictor of lifetime earnings, this involvement has a measurable impact on future financial outcomes.

Career Confidence and Ambition Grow

Fathers who encourage goal setting and model perseverance help their children develop the confidence to pursue ambitious career goals. This confidence fuels resilience in the face of setbacks, a vital trait in the modern economy.

Financial Habits Are Learned Early

Fathers often serve as the first role models for money management. When fathers involve children in budgeting, saving, and planning for future expenses, they impart financial literacy that can prevent costly mistakes later in life and encourage long-term wealth creation.

Stable Homes Create Opportunity

Fathers who contribute to a stable, structured household environment give their children the freedom to focus on growth, curiosity, and achievement. Stability reduces anxiety and creates space for learning and exploration.

Success is not measured in dollars alone. The emotional competencies children develop are deeply connected to their economic outcomes.

Confidence Fuels Achievement

Children who feel valued and understood are more likely to take calculated risks, pursue challenging goals, and recover from failure. These traits are hallmarks of entrepreneurial thinkers and effective leaders.

Resilience Matters

Father-involved children learn that setbacks are part of growth. This mindset prepares young people to navigate career shifts, economic uncertainty, and the inevitable challenges that come with adult life.

Relational Skills Pay Dividends

Healthy relationships are key to success in professional and personal spheres. Fathers who model empathy, respect, and effective communication help their children build the interpersonal skills that employers and partners alike value.

Research shows that the benefits of father involvement hold across diverse family structures and socioeconomic backgrounds. While dual-parent engagement amplifies positive outcomes, single fathers who are emotionally present and consistent make a similarly powerful impact.

Fatherhood, in its best form, is both an opportunity and a responsibility. The time fathers invest today translates into emotional stability, academic readiness, and financial capability for the next generation.

• Prioritize presence: Engage in meaningful conversations daily
• Model responsibility: Demonstrate how to follow through on commitments
• Set expectations wisely: Balance high standards with encouragement
• Teach financial habits: Introduce budgeting, saving, and planning early
• Encourage resilience: Frame challenges as opportunities for growth
• Connect emotionally: Listen first, advise second

Fathers matter, not because they are perfect, but because their presence, guidance, and engagement become a foundation upon which children build their identities, their goals, and their economic futures.

The strength of a family does not lie in any single day or event. It lies in the consistent presence of a parent who believes in their child’s potential. When fathers embrace that role, children grow into adults capable of creating success, contributing meaningfully to society, and building wealth, not just for themselves, but for future generations.

#KENDESI #KENDESIMOHAMMED #KENDESIBLOG #KENDESINEWS 

Deep Scars Come With Winning
 

Written by Kendesi Mohammed

Winning is often romanticized. We celebrate the trophies, the applause, the headlines, and the highlight reels. We admire the finished product but rarely study the process. What people do not always understand is that deep scars come with winning.

Every victory demands a sacrifice. Behind every champion is a season of isolation, discipline, rejection, and doubt. The deeper the ambition, the deeper the cuts. Scars are not signs of weakness. They are proof of survival.

In business, winning means risking reputation and resources. It means investing when others hesitate. It means hearing “no” a hundred times before you hear one life changing “yes.” In leadership, winning requires absorbing criticism, standing firm in storms, and making decisions that may not always be popular but are necessary.

In entertainment, politics, sports, and entrepreneurship, the pattern is the same. The public sees success. The winner feels the scars.

Look at icons across industries. From boardrooms to stadiums, from small community projects to global platforms, those who rise carry stories of betrayal, financial strain, sleepless nights, and moments when quitting felt easier than continuing. Yet they pressed forward. That pressing forward is what separates winners from spectators.

Scars also reshape you. They teach you discernment. They sharpen your instincts. They build resilience. A person who has endured loss understands gratitude differently. A person who has faced humiliation values dignity differently. A person who has fought through adversity respects peace differently.

There is a misconception that winning removes pain. It does not. It transforms it. The pain becomes purpose. The struggle becomes strategy. The rejection becomes redirection.

Deep scars come with winning because growth stretches you beyond comfort. Expansion requires pressure. Diamonds are formed under intense heat and weight. Leaders are formed under intense responsibility and resistance.

The question is not whether you will be scarred. The question is whether the scars will come from quitting or from conquering.

True winners accept the wounds as part of the journey. They do not glorify suffering, but they understand it. They know that the price of elevation is endurance.

So when you see someone standing at the top, do not only admire the shine. Respect the scars. They earned every inch of that victory.

Because in the end, deep scars do not weaken winners. They define them.