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We all have our own ideas about how our country should be run. Some favor a different welfare system, others are against abortion. Some want a flat tax, others believe the Constitution should be re-written.
When you have children things become a bit complicated. Parents tend to pass on their own political beliefs to their children, but that is normally something that happens over time. Just being exposed to family members during daily living and of course, children hear and observe more than we realize at times.
Having said that, I'm curious. How many of you would buy a 'children's book' that had a political agenda?
Now I know over the years there have been children's books with semi-hidden political messages... but I'm talking more about the blatant, in-your-face sorts of political agendas that *in my personal opinion* don't belong in children's books.
My opinion is that while children pick up on political trends and opinions through their parents, that it's also the responsiblity of parents to teach their children to keep an open mind about things - to think critically and not just read something and go along with it because it's what mom and dad believe.
A few examples of what I'm talking about are below:
These are only a few examples and some are not as bad and some are much worse. I was floored actually, to learn that there were more than just a couple of these kinds of books.
Point is - there has to be a market for these types of children's books, otherwise they wouldn't get published.
MY question is - why as a parent would you purchase such a (IMHO) partisan book for your child?
Why or why not?
When you have children things become a bit complicated. Parents tend to pass on their own political beliefs to their children, but that is normally something that happens over time. Just being exposed to family members during daily living and of course, children hear and observe more than we realize at times.
Having said that, I'm curious. How many of you would buy a 'children's book' that had a political agenda?
Now I know over the years there have been children's books with semi-hidden political messages... but I'm talking more about the blatant, in-your-face sorts of political agendas that *in my personal opinion* don't belong in children's books.
My opinion is that while children pick up on political trends and opinions through their parents, that it's also the responsiblity of parents to teach their children to keep an open mind about things - to think critically and not just read something and go along with it because it's what mom and dad believe.
A few examples of what I'm talking about are below:
Another book: Amazon.com: NO, George, NO! The Re-Parenting of George W. Bush (9780975283417): Kathy Eder: Books
(partial) Product description: This is a book about a President named George who has a dream. In this dream, George becomes a little boy, and he meets a Truth Fairy who is trying to teach him lessons about How to not manipulate the Media, How to treat Veterans, How to be honest, How to be respectful with families who have lost soldiers in war, How to go to War only when necessary, How not to label people as Boogeymen, How not to invade countries, How to control greed, How to hold fair elections, and How to behave as a leader.
Product description: This full-color illustrated book is a fun way for parents to teach young children the valuable lessons of conservatism. Written in simple text, readers can follow along with Tommy and Lou as they open a lemonade stand to earn money for a swing set. But when liberals start demanding that Tommy and Lou pay half their money in taxes, take down their picture of Jesus, and serve broccoli with every glass of lemonade, the young brothers experience the downside to living in Liberaland.
These are only a few examples and some are not as bad and some are much worse. I was floored actually, to learn that there were more than just a couple of these kinds of books.
Point is - there has to be a market for these types of children's books, otherwise they wouldn't get published.
MY question is - why as a parent would you purchase such a (IMHO) partisan book for your child?
Why or why not?
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