Here is the million dollar question for the day: Do we indoctrinate our children? On the one had it is obvious that we do. This is not always pejoratively done. We tell our children the same things over and over again. We teach them by repetition. I take my children to church every week. They are taught pretty much the same things over and over again. The young women recite a theme each Sunday. Most Catholics can recite The Holy Rosary. What I am referring to in the negative side of indoctrination. Do we expect them to never question the "doctrine" they learn? Specifically I am referring to things like having elementary students stand every day and pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. My 4 year old can recite this pledge. He has learned it in his first year of preschool. He cannot recognize any of the letters of the alphabet, but he can recite a 31 word pledge. Don't get me wrong here. I am not upset by this, although some of you may know my thoughts on this "pledge." However, I do find it interesting that this is one of the first things we teach our children. I understand that my children attend state schools sponsored by the government. It makes sense that a government sponsored school would want to encourage the values of it's government. What doesn't make sense to me is that it is almost socially unacceptable to not recite the pledge. Sure you have your people that disagree with the "Under God" part. It is okay for them. But, what about everyone else? Although this rant appears to have gone absolutely no where, I still want to know: Is it indoctrination to have our tiny children learn and recite the Pledge of Allegiance over and over again?sidenote: I feel that I must put a disclaimer with this post as some of my previous posts have caused some hurt feelings unintentionally. I do not aim my posts at anyone in particular. This post does not mean that I am "unAmerican." I understand what a wonderful thing it is to live in this country. I support our soldiers. blah blah blah. Basically if you are going to be offended, go away. No one is making you read this.
7 comments:
Lydia, I love your sidenote. That is totally how I feel sometimes, "No one is making you read this." Your post makes me curious. I wish I knew your thoughts on this "pledge." As a teacher I've never forced any of my students to recite it. If you don't want to, don't. But I actually got in trouble for that once. Whatever . . .
Well, it is kind of a lot to explain. I feel like the "justice for all" part is deceiving. INS doesn't really abide by this rule. I don't really want to rant and rave about it. I know that people have pretty intense feeling about immigrants. My opinion has been changing for the last few years. Not all people in this country that are not citizens need to be deported. INS takes a pretty hard line as far as this goes. For example up until just recently if American citizens adopted a child from another country, even at birth, the child did not receive citizenship. A permanent visa was issued. This visa however didn't allow the child all the rights and privileges that a citizen would have. After 18 years of age, if that child committed a felony, of any sort, he/she were deported to his/her "home country." Keeping in mind that adopted children are typically raised like biological children, their "home country" would be the US. Nope. That is not the case. The law is changing, but still there are so many situations like that. INS deals in black and white, when in reality there is a lot gray out there. I could go on and I, but alas, I will spare everyone.
Also I know that kids aren't forced. It is just expected.
I love it... I have to admit, I havent really thought about the words to the pledge, or that my kids also know it before they can read, write, or identify letters. I totally agree with the debate on illegal immagrants. Fred is also in the same situation as far as not having citizenship. But for him his family chose to come here, where as if your adopted you don't choose to come, and your deporting them back to a country where they have really never been... Anyway, makes no sense! Thanks for blogging, I have missed your post! And I also agree with "No one is making you read this" I think I am going to start putting your side note on all my post:)
Where have you been? You've been MIA in the blogging world! :) Also, I am usually the one to use words that some people don't know the meaning of, but honestly, reading your extensive vocabulary on your blog makes me feel stupid! :) Maybe after your disclaimer at the bottom, you could also include a glossary of the words you use in your posts! :) ha ha!
LUVS!
Yay for posting again! You wouldn't be Lydia if you weren't opinionated. Glad to see you are still alive. How are you feeling? Now that your computer is working again there are no excuses!! Post more often! :)
Lyida, oh my gosh I thought you'd fallen off the erath. ha well My thoughts are that the government is so crupt anyway and we are all scwred. hello "home land secrity" that was so they can keep tabs on us at all times and in all things and in all places. Have you ever watched prison break? well that is how its going to be. glad you posted. I have been a slacker in everything lately. Posting and cleaning you name it I haven't done it. ha gotta go love the post.
Hi and welcome to MBC!
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