I know it's past Christmas, but...

[semerkhet]

Something occurred to me today about the whole Santa Claus myth. Santa Claus is supposed to be this sort of cosmic Big Brother who knows what you've been doing and knows if you've been bad or good. He is supposed to reward good kids with gifts and punish bad kids with a lump of coal. So let's say, for the sake of example, that some six year old

Comments

First Rudolph, now Santa?

[shannongeek]

You are rather cynical lately, my dear. Fortunately I don't mind about not doing Santa.
Do most kids really believe in Santa though? and when do they figure out there isn't one? I think you exaggerate mightily. I know that I had suspicions about Santa for years before I found the proof (the box from my Star Wars toy found in the basement the following July), and I was rather young when I figured it out.
Do kids really worry about whether they've been naughty? I think not. In our society we give lip service to the whole coal thing, but early on kids learn that Santa is a jolly old man who brings presents no matter what. If I were to go to the other extreme for arguments sake, I'd say that the Santa figure becomes one of unconditional love and rewards rather than some emotionally tortuous figure looming over the holidays.
;P

No Santa?

[ascletarion]

OK, I'll admit I'm a strange type of traditionalist, but I think the magic of "Santa" does nothing to diminish a child's Christmas and only adds to it. Christmas is about kids. Why not let any child live in the World of Make Believe as long as they can possibly cling to it?

Who actually does the naughty/nice thing anyway? It may be a bizarre form of parental control if implemented, but it basically never is.

I guess I'd restrict my social commentary to those who have any chance of getting it. If nothing else, what happens when the average 5 year old (I think about 7 to 8 or so is typical for disbelief) starts spreading flames in their day care?

Re: No Santa?

[semerkhet]

I was in a really cynical mood that day. I fully agree that only in a small number of cases will the use of Santa harm a child in any way.