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Serious or Parody?

Is this serious or parody?


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Redress

Liberal Fascist For Life!
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If You Want a Conservative Child | National Review Online

A sample:

If your home is Jewish, Catholic, Protestant, or Mormon, another option for the year after high school is to have your child devote a year to studying religion in some formal setting. The more your child knows, lives, and adheres to the principles of any of these religions, the less likely he or she will convert to leftism, which has been the most dynamic religion of the last hundred years. For example, it is a fundamental belief of each of these Judeo-Christian religions that the root of evil is within the evildoer. But it is a fundamental belief of leftism that people murder, steal, and rape overwhelmingly because of outside influences such as poverty and racism. The moment your child understands that people who commit evil — not poverty or racism — are responsible for it, he or she cannot be a leftist.


Fourth, don’t be preoccupied with instilling high self-esteem in your child. It is the Left that believes that self-esteem is a child’s right, something that parents and society owe children. Conservatives believe that everyone, including children, must earn self-esteem. Indeed, the belief in earning — rather than in being given — is conservative.


Fifth, teach character. The Left has essentially defined a good person as one who holds progressive social positions — on race, the environment, taxes, health care, etc. That is why the Left, including the feminist Left, could so adore Bill Clinton, who regularly used his positions of power to take advantage of women: He held progressive positions.

So, the question: is this supposed to be taken seriously, or is this a Colbert style parody? I really just cannot tell, but the article is good for many laughs.
 
I think it's very serious to the writer and to hyper-evangelical Christians.

To everyone else, it's an indictment on religion and what it does to the simple-minded.
 
If You Want a Conservative Child | National Review Online

A sample:



So, the question: is this supposed to be taken seriously, or is this a Colbert style parody? I really just cannot tell, but the article is good for many laughs.


It is meant to be taken seriously, however its a joke to the majority of people. It is pretty ridiculous.

edit: on second reading it's pretty ****ed up, the fact that some parents may install their values onto the child is just weird. Especially since I thought an element of conservatism is individuality...
 
It is meant to be taken seriously, however its a joke to the majority of people. It is pretty ridiculous.

edit: on second reading it's pretty ****ed up, the fact that some parents may install their values onto the child is just weird. Especially since I thought an element of conservatism is individuality...

I should be clear that while I am making fun of the writer of the article and those who think like that, I don't think most conservatives do think like this.
 
Sounds like something Dennis Prager would say.
 
I should be clear that while I am making fun of the writer of the article and those who think like that, I don't think most conservatives do think like this.

Neither do I. It's just that those conservative parents who read that and take it seriously, must be lost in their own hypocrisy. Obviously this is only a minority, but it is still present.
 
Neither do I. It's just that those conservative parents who read that and take it seriously, must be lost in their own hypocrisy. Obviously this is only a minority, but it is still present.
Hypocrisy? Care to explain how what he is saying is hypocrisy? If he did otherwise, and you could prove it...that might be hypocrisy... but just to claim hypocrisy without any basis...well...
 
Hypocrisy? Care to explain how what he is saying is hypocrisy? If he did otherwise, and you could prove it...that might be hypocrisy... but just to claim hypocrisy without any basis...well...

My basis is that these ultra-conservative parents who attempt to force their values onto a child to be the same as them, are ignoring the child's individuality, which is a key part of conservatism. I am aware that other parents with more leftist views may do the same, however due to a likely religious upbringing in a conservative household, they are more likely to "tow in line" so to speak.
 
I should be clear that while I am making fun of the writer of the article and those who think like that, I don't think most conservatives do think like this.
Why don't you break down that for which you are actually "making fun of the writer"? I am curious as to what might be so funny, what might not be absolutely serious and what you might think would be a better plan for children being inundated today with all sorts of silliness that either keeps them, or delays them, from being/becoming the good solid citizens that have a sense of right and wrong and just what is a positive direction for them individually, and we as a nation, to pursue?
 
My basis is that these ultra-conservative parents who attempt to force their values onto a child to be the same as them, are ignoring the child's individuality, which is a key part of conservatism. I am aware that other parents with more leftist views may do the same, however due to a likely religious upbringing in a conservative household, they are more likely to "tow in line" so to speak.
Where was the force you speak of? I believe these are just suggestions, he didn't say chain your children, whip your children... he gives cautions that are pretty much dead on as to what you will often be taught in school, K-12 thru university, nowadays.

How, when you know these to be wrong and unsuccessful methods as an approach to reasoning or as a way of life, how does one go about inoculating one's own children against such silliness? You don't agree, for instance, that self esteem must be earned, it is not just to be freely distributed... be like making everyone a millionaire by giving everyone a million dollars... they would be a millionaire alright, but it would have no meaning, no value.
 
My basis is that these ultra-conservative parents who attempt to force their values onto a child to be the same as them, are ignoring the child's individuality, which is a key part of conservatism. I am aware that other parents with more leftist views may do the same, however due to a likely religious upbringing in a conservative household, they are more likely to "tow in line" so to speak.

When you have children you will understand.

Character matters.
Your word matters.
What you do matters.

Good parents do indoctrinate their children, but not in the way most people think. Good parents do this by example to the best of their ability. Children learn not from what you preach but from what you DO. Do as I say not as do does not work well, if at all truth be told. The fool writer thinks you must reaffirm the your "values" or by the time your children graduate college they will be lost. If they are so easily swayed they were ALREADY lost. You reaffirm your values by LIVING your values. Action talks, bull**** walks. You want your children to have character and a moral compass and integrity then you better damn well live that way. Your children WILL do as YOU do. I am NOT a friend to my children. I could care less if they hate my guts momentarily, and I make sure they know it. I am their parent and it is mine and there mothers mission in life to see to it they are taught what they need to know to be successful and thrive. Their mother and I make sure they know that as well. Our love for them is also demonstrated and made known.

There is one piece of advice that Mr. Prager offers that is of merit, that is you should encourage your children to delay college for a bit then go. The exception being your children know EXCACTLY what they want and are intent on achieving it. Otherwise its best to delay school for a bit an figure out if that's a good route to take.
 
When you have children you will understand.

Character matters.
Your word matters.
What you do matters.

Good parents do indoctrinate their children, but not in the way most people think. Good parents do this by example to the best of their ability. Children learn not from what you preach but from what you DO. Do as I say not as do does not work well, if at all truth be told. The fool writer thinks you must reaffirm the your "values" or by the time your children graduate college they will be lost. If they are so easily swayed they were ALREADY lost. You reaffirm your values by LIVING your values. Action talks, bull**** walks. You want your children to have character and a moral compass and integrity then you better damn well live that way. Your children WILL do as YOU do. I am NOT a friend to my children. I could care less if they hate my guts momentarily, and I make sure they know it. I am their parent and it is mine and there mothers mission in life to see to it they are taught what they need to know to be successful and thrive. Their mother and I make sure they know that as well. Our love for them is also demonstrated and made known.

You seem to have confused pointing out the need for discussing the "why" you do things with not actually doing them. Praeger is saying tell the kid why he's not supposed to hit girls, along with telling him not to hit girls and then refusing to hit girls yourself. Equip your child not just with good habits, but with understanding.

The model you have presented, merely not hitting girls in front of him and hope that he has enough ESP to pick up the message is as much of an overly simplistic joke as that which you have accused him of.


There is one piece of advice that Mr. Prager offers that is of merit, that is you should encourage your children to delay college for a bit then go. The exception being your children know EXCACTLY what they want and are intent on achieving it. Otherwise its best to delay school for a bit an figure out if that's a good route to take.


I've noticed the same thing .
 
You seem to have confused pointing out the need for discussing the "why" you do things with not actually doing them. Praeger is saying tell the kid why he's not supposed to hit girls, along with telling him not to hit girls and then refusing to hit girls yourself. Equip your child not just with good habits, but with understanding.

The model you have presented, merely not hitting girls in front of him and hope that he has enough ESP to pick up the message is as much of an overly simplistic joke as that which you have accused him of.




I've noticed the same thing .
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My response was in no way a complete guide in raising children. But the point was and still is, actions still do talk louder than words every will. Do you take the time to explain why you do what you do, that's presumed so. By the time your children are about 10 or so they should be fairly set in their character, moral compass, ect. its mainly fine tuning and learning more nuanced principles. By the time your children hit college they, except for experience, should be fully functional and capable adults. There should be very little of a non catastrophic nature that would test their mettle severely. Mr. Prager seems to imply that children are weak minded. My experience is far from that. By the time a child gets to college age they are pretty much who they are going to be, the only thing missing is time and experience.
 
My response was in no way a complete guide in raising children. But the point was and still is, actions still do talk louder than words every will. Do you take the time to explain why you do what you do, that's presumed so. By the time your children are about 10 or so they should be fairly set in their character, moral compass, ect. its mainly fine tuning and learning more nuanced principles. By the time your children hit college they, except for experience, should be fully functional and capable adults. There should be very little of a non catastrophic nature that would test their mettle severely. Mr. Prager seems to imply that children are weak minded. My experience is far from that. By the time a child gets to college age they are pretty much who they are going to be, the only thing missing is time and experience.

Saying that actions talk louder than words is not an effective critique of the point that words should be included. Children will not learn what they are not taught.
 
The ones that raised me and I know are. I am surrounded by them.
I should be clear that while I am making fun of the writer of the article and those who think like that, I don't think most conservatives do think like this.
 
If You Want a Conservative Child | National Review Online

A sample:



So, the question: is this supposed to be taken seriously, or is this a Colbert style parody? I really just cannot tell, but the article is good for many laughs.

From the quoted part, I would say not only is the author serious, but actually has some very, very good and accurate points. However, the assumption that the "religious right' is conservationism, other than socially conservative, is a load of crap. That faction prior to the 1960s and the adoption of the liberal hatred of religion was actually on the "left" and part of the DNC.

However, blaming religion or lack of it for many of the things that are pointed out about the character, or rather the lack of character, on the left is inaccurate. A very large number of Catholics vote to the left. A very, very large number of Black adherents to Southern Baptist and other religions vote the left constantly. So obviously, Religion and an additional year of religious training has absolutely nothing to do with people have sufficient retardation of their brains in certain areas to make the Leftist. The problem is mental retardation not religion.
 
Saying that actions talk louder than words is not an effective critique of the point that words should be included. Children will not learn what they are not taught.

You are entitled to your opinion. I was just stating mine. Children learn far more from what you actually DO. Little eyes are always watching. In fact if you talk to CC I bet he would confirm this.
 
You are entitled to your opinion. I was just stating mine. Children learn far more from what you actually DO. Little eyes are always watching. In fact if you talk to CC I bet he would confirm this.

:shrug: i'm not contending with that - I am contending with what you seemed to be suggesting; that explaining the why of actions was not a necessary corollary if you wish for the child to be able to sustain challenge.
 
:shrug: i'm not contending with that - I am contending with what you seemed to be suggesting; that explaining the why of actions was not a necessary corollary if you wish for the child to be able to sustain challenge.

I never contended that. I AM contending propaganda will be seen for what it is. Don't get me wrong the man does have good points, they are just buried in bull****. His first point is the main one I have my prime contention with. By the time children get to college they are pretty much the people they are going to be. His second point is basically the same as his first. His third point has some merit as most people don't really know what direction they want to go at that age, so they need time to actually think about. He has point of sorts in his fourth contention self esteem is earned , which I agree with, though success breeds success. Fifthly and lastly character and moral compass is instilled way before they ever get to college, and that is done by example and answering questions and yes explaining why you do what you do. But know this if you are hypocritical about what you say and do that lesson WILL take, its just not the one you want to take. Children are far more intelligence and insightful then nonparents realize. Parents have to be cognizant of this fact children are sponges and will absorb EVERYTHING.
 
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