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Politicizing Children

10/5/2012

2 Comments

 
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By C. Dyer, contributing writer

After watching the presidential debate the other night, I decided to browse a few of NBC's videos. One I came across was about campaign paraphernalia. Among flag-colored cocktails and "VOTE" slippers were baby-onesies expressing support for each political party. I'm not sure how anyone else seeing them reacted, but I grew rather concerned. 

Why would parents need or want to make a political statement with their child's clothing? It’s cute to parents or family, but consider the mindset behind it. Dressing a small child in political or religious [based] clothing reflects the desire of the parent for the child to be just like them. The job of parents is not to raise carbon copies, but to teach their children to think critically and form opinions for themselves. It's partly because of this "my way or the highway" attitude that many children grow up to be followers. Many superficially believe what their parents or friends believe without ever giving it real thought. 

Parents should keep in mind who their children may grow up to be. If we don't make thoughtful choices, our children may grow to resent us later on. The child with the political t-shirt may grow up to be decidedly anti-part. The boy with the "God Hates Gays" sign may be an atheist. The girl sporting Wicca emblems may be a future Catholic. Regardless of personal beliefs, children direct their own futures. It's not up to us to decide.


2 Comments
Kelly
10/5/2012 01:48:19 pm

I saw my 11- year-old cousin post something about the Chick-Fil-A/ gay marriage thing and I was pissed off. Not only should she not have a facebook profile to begin with, but she's too young to even have a believable opinion on that. It was clear her opinion was under the influence of her parents. It's one thing to tell your kids what you believe and why, and another to impose it on them. I'm sure all parents think their views are what's best for their kid, but you're not teaching them how to form their own beliefs.

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C. Dyer
10/7/2012 02:37:17 pm

It's important whether the child is (or should be) old enough to think for herself. Age 11 is kind of iffy. Some kids at that age are beginning to form informed opinions, but most aren't that mature. It's a lot different than the incident with the t-shirt wearing 16-year-old being ridiculed by a teacher. She "didn't know" what party her parents support and decided to make her own statement.

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