Is it normal to let children be ignorant to preserve their "innocence"?

53% Normal
12 Comments

I think that it is ridiculous and pointless to let children believe in Santa, Disneyland, Ghosts, Fairy Tales, Myths, among other things. In fact, I believe that it is even a little cruel when parents invent stupid stories (like the Stork) to avoid talking about certain things.

Some people say that "the cutest thing about kids is their innocence". Yet, I think that people confuse innocence with plain ignorance. Some people also say that it does not harm anyone to let your kids be "innocent". But it does, in many terrible ways.

First of all, kids growing like this develop unrealistic expectations about life. And even when they stop believing in all that crap, they still have a hard time facing reality. Children should be taught how to appreciate real things, like family, friends, knowledge. It is stupid to make them believe that they live in a fairy tale. In particular, girls keep their princess complex through all their lives when they are raised like this.

Also, let's not forget about sexual education. More than ever, it is important to teach kids at an early age about this topic. It makes me nauseous when I see that some families never talk to their sons and daughters about sex, even when they are older. It shouldn't be awkward to explain your son about how to use a condom or a girl about the importance of visiting a gynecologist.

And well, do you agree people? Is this normal?

Voting Results
53% Normal
Based on 62 votes (33 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 12 )
  • dirtybirdy
    10 years ago

    Agreed. Its not a very good start in life, being lied to by your parents. Keep it real people!!! And I do think that its the parents responsibility to teach them about sex and all that, not schools.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    5
    5
      -
    • CozmoWank
      10 years ago

      I learned about sex by watching dogs in the neighborhood.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      2
      2
        -
      • dirtybirdy
        10 years ago

        Did you give them a bone? Or maybe they gave you one? Oh dear...

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
          -
        • CozmoWank
          10 years ago

          Woof!

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          2
          2
  • NeuroNeptunian
    10 years ago

    I personally see it as a way for parents to avoid having to explain topics that they feel their children are too young to understand. Personally, when I asked my Dad where babies came from, he said they came from vaginas and then he pointed to his crotch. My Mom was horrified when I walked up to her and pointed to my crotch and said "Mom, babies come from here!".

    Sharing knowledge is great but kids can only understand so much. While I agree with your points, I don't think we need to push the entirety of the reality down their throats. In part, some parents are forced to go with this well, because imagine the shit they would get if their child went to school and told other kids "the tooth fairy isn't real, it's your Mommy and Daddy sneaking into your room at night and putting dollars under your pillow!".

    That Is a challenge I'm not looking forward to as a parent - trying to convince my kid that Santa Claus not existing is supposed to be a closely guarded secret. Oi.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    4
    4
      -
    • Freedom_
      10 years ago

      Especially when he's passing or candy canes at the local market :/

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Chefeetaboopers
    10 years ago

    It is normal. Don't give me that crap that they'll never learn to grow up and be adults if you don't tell them the truth.

    We grew up being told both Santa was real but then being told the truth as well. We like imagination and having fun things to look forward to. We used the tooth fairy for our sister. Though she knew the fairy wasn't real she loved waking up to find money under her pillow.

    It's like holidays- I love celebrating even if people don't.. even if it's simply saying "happy easter" or buying some holiday cookies.. life is boring, so, why ruin something different that might give a spark of happiness to someone?

    BTW- I know the truth yet I choose to still play around with imagination so life is fun! Why do you have to become a party pooper as an adult?

    I pay my bills, I work my crap job, I'm broke and yet I still like to have fun and use my imagination. :)

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • dom180
    10 years ago

    I tend to agree, although I disagree that these lessons are permanent.

    I see the point of fairy tales as to teach your children to be afraid, but if I have children I don't want to teach them that the world is scary. What an awful thing to do, systematically training your children to be frightened. I'd rather teach them that reality is beautiful without embellishment and that nothing is be taboo.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • Freedom_
    10 years ago

    If you can teach them to decipher realty from the imaginary, i see no problem with going with the Santa and tooth fairy idea a little. Just don't make them believe it. When i was a kid I knew Santa wasn't real, but I still wanted to pretend he was. Honestly, I don't think it comes as much of a shock to most children. Parental enthusiasm for Santa usually dies when the child is 5-10 and they figure it out mostly on their own.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Tommythecat.
    10 years ago

    Kids don't really believe it.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • highrider
    10 years ago

    I think we should be told all this stuff at like 10. The stork is stupid

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • peterr
    10 years ago

    How did you get so boring?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    -3
    -3