Thursday, October 30, 2008

children promoting candidates

Does a parent have the right to indoctrinate their political views onto their children? At what point/age does a child get to have his or her own views?

If you received a letter from your child's (private) school requesting your permission to allow your child to participate in a campaigning session on a street corner during a school day (8AM-9AM). Would you give permisssion?

10 comments:

  1. Nope. Like you, I live in Georgia, and ain't no way they'd be taking my babies out and indoctrinating them with the mess the folks in my neighborhood believe in. Now, if you were asking me if my babies could accompany their PARENTS out to a political rally, absolutely. Then I have more control, and can really help them understand what's up. And my 6-year-old, trust, has something to say about the elections. They're talking about it on the bus (happy to say at least the little ones recognize that Obama is the better choice!).

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  2. Well to tell you the truth...I have 4 children. They watch the media and learn on their own. I dont have to tell them who to vote for. But these days it seems that majority of blacks vote democratic....this is what I was taught growing up....

    How are you?

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  3. I agree with everyone else. If I wasn't there, I wouldn't let them go. I figure when they get to high school, they're closer to voting age and should be able to make up their own minds.

    My 4 year old caught Obamamania. He runs around the house yelling Obamba! (not a misspelling). They are quick to pick up on things.

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  4. MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner
    welcome. i'd feel better if I was there, but since I coudn't, nada.

    Kin'shar
    my hubby and I were taught the same, VOTE DEMOCRATIC. I'd just rather son started with knowledge of both sides, not just one.

    the girl across the way
    i know, especially that location. I don't want to be there myself.

    Theo J
    welcome. kids, lol. what if he yelled McPalin?

    My hubby said...
    My hubby did not see it as an issue. I don't believe 1st and 2nd graders are old enough to understand the process. He says it's like when kids go to church without fully knowing why they are there. When older, they gain more knowledge and by then they have had a lot of exposure. Also, after the event we should talk with our child to see what did he understand. It would be great to expose children to democratic process as early as possible. About the safety issue, figured school would not have them there if they felt they would not be safe.

    Fam, so I guess I should have told him about the request when I received it a week earlier and not on the night before the last day, OH WELL!

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  5. As a parent you have the right to teach your kid whatever you want, unfortunately.

    It's also kinda like religion. You teach your child in the way that you believe. And you hope that they keep that with them and stay in that faith for the rest of their lives, ya know?

    I just believe that even if you have a particular political leaning, you should at least expose your kids to other POVs. However, that involves extra thinking and a (sorta) open mind and a lot of people tend to avoid that.

    My 2 cents....

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  6. Tayo
    If I knew my child would have been exposed to more than one POV, I would have felt better about this request, but i know that this is not the case. The owner of the school is heavy involved in the Democratic Party in this area. There are VOTE DEMOCRATIC signs on school property grounds. My son even asked me for $2 to purchase an OBAMA pin. Of course I would not be surprised if he had the cost incorrect, but he only wanted a pin because he likes pins and stickers. I want him to learn the process to make his own decisions and not do it just because his parents. Our ancestors have worked hard so that he has that right.

    There are enough other areas in his life that he MUST do as I tell him. LOL

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  7. Sista GP,

    An Afrafeminist in my opinion, is one that possesses a consciousness or worldview that resists the domination and oppression of African American women.

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  8. Revvy Rev
    thanks for the clarification

    french home decor
    i prefer to present multiple options and then him decide

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release your mind...what do you think?

 

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