4th of July
not involving them in conversations and decisions, by not holding them accountable or challenging them to think. This crippling effect carries into adulthood as apathy or disregard or plain ignorance and we wonder why so many people don't vote, think, read, etc.. Kids are much smarter (and stronger) than we, as a society, give them credit for.
An article...
Patriotism
This July 4th led our parenting columnist to question the lessons her son and other kids are learning about patriotism. Find out why she thinks they're only getting half of the picture, and what we all can do to help fill in the rest.
by Dana Williams
My son put on a very thought-provoking show this July 4th.
In addition to the usual barbecue rib-eating contest with his uncle and a magnificent sparkler-twirling routine, he showed off his repertoire of patriotic songs from kindergarten graduation, which was held during the midst of the war in Iraq.
During the program, the class was decked out in red, white and blue, with some kids holding small percussion instruments and others waving tiny American flags.
Beginning with the typical kid-style monotone recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and ending with a tear-jerking rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," they all were so proud to showcase the patriotic melodies they'd practiced in music class. We adults were even more proud as we sat and watched their performance.
But somehow, listening to my son sing these same songs a few days ago on July 4th sparked a twinge of sadness. Sadness over what I know he and many other kids his age and older aren't learning about the true meaning of patriotism.
It's very easy to teach kids to stand up and belt out the Pledge on autopilot. And of course it's fun to watch them perform "Yankee Doodle Dandy" or "America the Beautiful" in unison, displaying well-rehearsed patriotism.
But what about the more difficult side of patriotism? What about the right of dissent? What about the roles, rights and responsibilities each of us holds as members of a democracy?
After all, where would this nation be without dissent? Would there ever have been a Civil Rights Movement or a Women's Rights Movement if no one dared speak out and defend their rights and responsibilities as participants in this great democracy?
Questioning the idea of 'anti'-Americanism
In the current climate where students have been suspended for sporting "anti-American" T-shirts and some teachers disciplined or fired for making anti-war and other "unpatriotic" remarks, it is clear that when it comes to witnessing democracy and patriotism in practice, many of our kids aren't getting a full view.
Take the Dixie Chicks controversy. I remember shaking my head in disgust at footage showing dozens of kids joining parents and other adults in stomping and burning piles of the group's CDs, all because one of them chose to speak against the president during a time of war.
The irony was painful: While American troops were fighting to "liberate" others thousands of miles away, these kids were being taught to trample over the free speech rights of those here on our soil.
My goal, like many other parents, is to raise a child who is willing to stand up and speak out for what is right, even when others aren't willing to join him. A child who knows it is possible to defend his own ideals and opinions while also respecting the right of others to do the same.
This is a goal that cannot be accomplished when we send our kids the message that patriotism means stifling our right to disagree.
If we wish to rear a generation of bold leaders and independent thinkers rather than silent followers, we must work to cultivate these qualities in our children both at home and at school.
It's no simple task, but there are ways both parents and teachers can contribute. Here are a few suggestions:
Help develop critical thinking skills. Ask kids "Why?" and "What if?" Encourage them to weigh all sides of an issue before forming an opinion, and to defend their views with facts rather than emotions. Provide them with tools and resources to gather information on their own.
Foster respect for different viewpoints and opinions. Encourage children to listen to what others have to say even when they don't agree. Help them understand different viewpoints by promoting awareness of diversity and by teaching about other cultures and belief systems. Discourage them from relying on stereotypes and from judging others based on their opinions.
Encourage public service and civic participation. Find out children's interests and involve them in related community service or volunteer opportunities, especially those that will expose them to the political process. Take them along when you vote and discuss the process. Visit a local county commission or city council meeting together, then point out and discuss the ways differing viewpoints are addressed.
Finally, in my house we have a golden rule regarding dissent:
If you've got a valid, well-thought-out argument and can present it in a way that's respectful of others, it's OK to question the rules or challenge the status quo. And you can speak out against the president all you want - just never, never talk back to Mama.
An article...
Patriotism
This July 4th led our parenting columnist to question the lessons her son and other kids are learning about patriotism. Find out why she thinks they're only getting half of the picture, and what we all can do to help fill in the rest.
by Dana Williams
My son put on a very thought-provoking show this July 4th.
In addition to the usual barbecue rib-eating contest with his uncle and a magnificent sparkler-twirling routine, he showed off his repertoire of patriotic songs from kindergarten graduation, which was held during the midst of the war in Iraq.
During the program, the class was decked out in red, white and blue, with some kids holding small percussion instruments and others waving tiny American flags.
Beginning with the typical kid-style monotone recital of the Pledge of Allegiance and ending with a tear-jerking rendition of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," they all were so proud to showcase the patriotic melodies they'd practiced in music class. We adults were even more proud as we sat and watched their performance.
But somehow, listening to my son sing these same songs a few days ago on July 4th sparked a twinge of sadness. Sadness over what I know he and many other kids his age and older aren't learning about the true meaning of patriotism.
It's very easy to teach kids to stand up and belt out the Pledge on autopilot. And of course it's fun to watch them perform "Yankee Doodle Dandy" or "America the Beautiful" in unison, displaying well-rehearsed patriotism.
But what about the more difficult side of patriotism? What about the right of dissent? What about the roles, rights and responsibilities each of us holds as members of a democracy?
After all, where would this nation be without dissent? Would there ever have been a Civil Rights Movement or a Women's Rights Movement if no one dared speak out and defend their rights and responsibilities as participants in this great democracy?
Questioning the idea of 'anti'-Americanism
In the current climate where students have been suspended for sporting "anti-American" T-shirts and some teachers disciplined or fired for making anti-war and other "unpatriotic" remarks, it is clear that when it comes to witnessing democracy and patriotism in practice, many of our kids aren't getting a full view.
Take the Dixie Chicks controversy. I remember shaking my head in disgust at footage showing dozens of kids joining parents and other adults in stomping and burning piles of the group's CDs, all because one of them chose to speak against the president during a time of war.
The irony was painful: While American troops were fighting to "liberate" others thousands of miles away, these kids were being taught to trample over the free speech rights of those here on our soil.
My goal, like many other parents, is to raise a child who is willing to stand up and speak out for what is right, even when others aren't willing to join him. A child who knows it is possible to defend his own ideals and opinions while also respecting the right of others to do the same.
This is a goal that cannot be accomplished when we send our kids the message that patriotism means stifling our right to disagree.
If we wish to rear a generation of bold leaders and independent thinkers rather than silent followers, we must work to cultivate these qualities in our children both at home and at school.
It's no simple task, but there are ways both parents and teachers can contribute. Here are a few suggestions:
Help develop critical thinking skills. Ask kids "Why?" and "What if?" Encourage them to weigh all sides of an issue before forming an opinion, and to defend their views with facts rather than emotions. Provide them with tools and resources to gather information on their own.
Foster respect for different viewpoints and opinions. Encourage children to listen to what others have to say even when they don't agree. Help them understand different viewpoints by promoting awareness of diversity and by teaching about other cultures and belief systems. Discourage them from relying on stereotypes and from judging others based on their opinions.
Encourage public service and civic participation. Find out children's interests and involve them in related community service or volunteer opportunities, especially those that will expose them to the political process. Take them along when you vote and discuss the process. Visit a local county commission or city council meeting together, then point out and discuss the ways differing viewpoints are addressed.
Finally, in my house we have a golden rule regarding dissent:
If you've got a valid, well-thought-out argument and can present it in a way that's respectful of others, it's OK to question the rules or challenge the status quo. And you can speak out against the president all you want - just never, never talk back to Mama.