Why do we brainwash our children?
By Pose123
@Pose123 (21635)
Canada
July 31, 2007 9:55am CST
Most children are brainwashed from day 1. I guess that statement will upset some people, but it's true, we brainwash our children. I beleive that we must love our children, and they must always know that they are loved. This is number 1, in my opinion. Second, children have to be taught how to interact with others, sharing for example, with society in general,obey the laws of the country, treat others with respect etc. But why do we insist that they believe as we do? Are they not individuals? whether we are fundamentalist, orthodox, or atheist, in our religious beliefs,(and yes, atheism is a religion) why should we expect them to be merely clones of us? Teach them to respect everyone's opinion, and choose for themselves when they feel ready to do so. And then support them. If they change their mind, fine, continue to support them. Lets love our children, but not try to make them carbon copies of ourselves. We can teach them about our beliefs,take them to church,temple,mosque,synagogue etc., if we attend one, but let's not teach them bigotry. Maybe we can create a better world. What do you think?
5 people like this
4 responses
@lecanis (16647)
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
31 Jul 07
I don't think I'll ever have to worry about my child being brainwashed. He can learn his Paganism from me, his Christianity from his father, and just about every other religion under the sun from the Unitarian Universalist fellowship we attend, which has members that are Buddhist, Humanist, Agnostic, Christian, Pagan, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim... and I know I've missed someone there, but you get the point. =P
I think that teaching kids only one possiblity out of the many religious and spiritual teachings out there not only leads to them being narrow-minded and often bigoted, but also can cause the entire family to be torn apart if they do decide to investigate other possibilites later. So I'd rather my son learn many things and make his own choices, and learn to have respect for everyone's beliefs. That way, even if he chooses another path than my own, he and I can still respect each other. =)
1 person likes this
@34momma (13882)
• United States
31 Jul 07
i don't thinking teaching my children a belief system is brainwashing them. if you are talking about brainwashing children then i think telling them that santa claus an the easter bunny are real is brainwashing. allowing them to believe in the tooth fairy is brainwashing. giving them a foundation on the Laws of the Lord is allow them to walk a path to the Lord
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
31 Jul 07
Hi 34momma,thanks for commenting. Everyone is entitled to their opinion of course,but I wouldn't consider beliefs about santa claus, the easter bunny,or the tooth fairy as brainwashing. Children soon find out the truth about thse things, and it has no lasting effect on them. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@katydidmc (210)
• Canada
31 Jul 07
Atheism is NOT a religion, as much as religious people insist it is. its a lack of religion. I personally am atheist, but I have my son in Catholic school because its important for children to get SOME religious learning, which he isn't getting at home. And I think you are right, people shouldn't force their belief system onto their children, it only causes resentment, and in the case of fundamentalism in any religion, loses valuable educational time and warps their thinking processes
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
31 Jul 07
Thanks katydidmc, maybe we can say that atheism is a belief system, and leave it to that.I'm not sure that children need religious learning, that is in one particular faith. They need love and should be taught tolerance, and the other things that I mention in my post.Blessings.
1 person likes this
@alamode (3071)
• United States
14 Sep 07
Our children were given their own choices in most things, and it taught them the repercussions of those choices. We would never allow them to be hurt or to hurt others, but would let them work most things out for themselves by asking them questions before the fact. Hun was raised Catholic, and I have another belief system, so they learned the aspect of both.
All three are well rounded, socially comfortable individuals ages 37 to 43, who raised their children in a similar way. This new generation is also nearly angst- and doubt- free, and I believe that its because they were allowed to choose their own path.
