One of the best things about parenting is passing on your beliefs to your child. Whether it’s an Obama hat, a crucifix, or a football jersey, I’d say that if your kid agrees with you enough to advertise it you should consider yourself a success.
Last summer I listened in on several conversations between my 9 year-old niece and my 11 year-old son. They were discussing how disturbing Obama was and some of the issues he was running on. They really hoped voters wouldn’t be stupid enough to elect him.
I was so heartened and proud.
My son’s involement with state and local politics began in utero. Working with me on political campaigns has taught him lessons that no civics class could match. He has a firm grasp of our ideals and can apply them to the simplest playground challenge or more complex current event. At 10 years old he’s had opportunities and experiences that we have shared that will shape him into the man he will become. He has attended meetings and meals with mayors, state reps and senators, our State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Lt. Gov and Governor Barbour, not because we are big money donors but because we are in the trenches workers. We’ve walked door to door, volunteered at Party headquarters, worked festivals and voter registration tables.He can “talk politics” not by regurgitating talking points but by expressing his carefully considered opinion. One of my proudest moments as a parent occured at Gov. Barbour’s inauguration last year. Shaking hands with Gov. Barbour in the receiving line, he thanked the Gov and First Lady for “getting Mississippi back on her feet” following Hurricane Katrina.
He’s come a long way from his “Babies For Bush” t-shirt!
Just to let you know, I read this on my phone when I was away, unable to respond. I actually wrote down the url so that I could respond when I returned.
You wrote: This boy wearing the Obama hat was clearly too young to have any sense of self beyond his parents and therefore wore the hat because of what his parents believed, not what he believed. In my opinion, these adults were abusing their parental influence to forward their own support of a political candidate.
The child on your blog was wearing an Obama hat. Should we avoid putting religious clothes on our children, too? Mine wore them long before they had any sense of self, which is your criteria.
Nothing is more influencing than one's religious beliefs. Religious beliefs play into political views. Is that wrong, too?
What about educational beliefs and methods? Medical care? Fancy clothes? Plain clothes? Music? Books?
Should parents avoid influencing their children when it comes to education? How about homeschooling? Those parents are influencing their children's education in the most direct way, and they'll almost certainly have a major effect on their children's political views. Is that wrong?
Or is it "just" politics? And if it is "just" politics, why is it "just" politics? We don't reach our political views in a vacuum. They are the result of our life experiences, our religion, our economic status, our education, and much more.
I look forward to your response.
You signed up on FR just to pimp your blog?
Your sign up date is Aug 18, 2009, you’ve posted three threads, all linking to your blog and one comment.
That is not looked highly upon here.
There’s an acronym for that.
IBTZ
How dare you parents try to teach your child values or...anything!. That's for the government schools to do...
IB4TZ!
Zot!
Of course, if that something happens to be an alcoholic beverage, then the sting might not last as long...or be as noticeable.
You know what I mean?
Oh, we do too.
ZOT!
