teaching racism. is it child abuse? a friendly debate.

[paganangel]

question: we ban child abuse.many feel teaching racism is child abuse. if this is the case, why specifically? do we remove children from the homes in these instances? how far does it go? apros pos to this, our current world situation begs another question. religion has also passed down values which can be deemed deleterious to those in whom they are instilled. are we to ban teaching releigion to our children?

discuss.

 

[DevilBoy79]

Racism in general is just plain ignorance

 

[paganangel]

Racism in general is just plain ignorance

thank you for the answer to a question nobody asked.

 

[DannyBoyUK]

Religion is just a less extreme form of power-oriented bigotry than racism.

Kids should be shielded from both

 

[RastaPope]

No. Not abuse. Questionable parenting, maybe. But who are we to say what parents can or cannot teach their children? Ripping them out of their homes is as disgusting as the racism.

 

[badasschick]

If people are going to teach their kids to be racist then I think they should prepare themselves to deal with the responsibility of the fucked up life that kid is going to lead. Cause in the end their kid is going to blame them and possibly hate them when they grow up and know better for themselves.

 

[DannyBoyUK]

The state should not just sit back and do nothing when kids are being pumped full of racial hatred by their folks. If it is provable, the parents should be arrested and charged/indicted. There are plenty of statutes under which it could be done.

 

[paganangel]

If people are going to teach their kids to be racist then I think they should prepare themselves to deal with the responsibility of the fucked up life that kid is going to lead. Cause in the end their kid is going to blame them and possibly hate them when they grow up and know better for themselves.

if they grow up and know better for themselves.

 

[RastaPope]

The state should not just sit back and do nothing when kids are being pumped full of racial hatred by their folks. If it is provable, the parents should be arrested and charged/indicted. There are plenty of statutes under which it could be done.

Even though I don't promote racism, I would fight that to the death. Free thought can't be regulated.

 

[Shaq]

No. Not abuse. Questionable parenting, maybe. But who are we to say what parents can or cannot teach their children? Ripping them out of their homes is as disgusting as the racism.

Agreed. I think racism is deplorable and to teach it to children is like mental poison but to mandate what parents can teach their children puts to my power in the hands of those who would use that power for control.

PLUS...kids grow up...as impressionable as we all once were I still believe that eventually most of us develop the maturity and clarity of life to understand that not everything our parents did or taught was right....I think in the end the kids become adults...and the ones that don't want to be reduced to the sad mental state of their parents won't be....

 

[Problem Child]

Let's re-phrase the question and ask it like this:

Is teaching your child to be a narrow-minded, ignorant, bitter, regressive member of society child abuse?

Of course it is.

Can we do anything about it? No. That wasn't the question though.

 

[MissTaken]

By definition: teaching racism is not child abuse.

Abuse has to leave permanent physical damage in order to be considered as abuse. The only exception would be with regard to sexual abuse.

I would agree that teaching racisim is extremely irresponsible parenting. I know. I am constantly trying to quell the influence my children's father's ideas and racist opinions have on them.

Pssst I am winning too!

 

[Tremolo]

By definition: teaching racism is not child abuse.

Abuse has to leave permanent physical damage in order to be considered as abuse. The only exception would be with regard to sexual abuse.

You forgot about emotional abuse. Parents can feed and clothe thier kids but treat them like dirt. Emotional abuse leaves no physical marks but is widely regarded as a form of abuse.

 

[MissTaken]

You forgot about emotional abuse. Parents can feed and clothe thier kids but treat them like dirt. Emotional abuse leaves no physical marks but is widely regarded as a form of abuse.

I am talking in terms of legal definitions and child abuse laws.

Things that constitute emotional abuse are considered neglect, by legal definition.

At least in NYS, where paganangel and I are posting from.

 

[paganangel]

Let's re-phrase the question and ask it like this:

Is teaching your child to be a narrow-minded, ignorant, bitter, regressive member of society child abuse?

Of course it is.

Can we do anything about it? No. That wasn't the question though.

good thing you added that last sentence.

 

[Shaq]

Let's re-phrase the question and ask it like this:

Is teaching your child to be a narrow-minded, ignorant, bitter, regressive member of society child abuse?

Of course it is.

Can we do anything about it? No. That wasn't the question though.

No...it wasn't....good reply tho....ye speaks the truth...

 

[Ogri]

There's nothing like military basic training to to open everyone's eyes up. When I went through, our training platoon was the most diverse group of individuals I had ever been around. We had to live and work together 24/7 for 13 weeks. I'm a better individual today for it.

A little forced co-existance could do the whole world some good I think.

 

[morninggirl5]

Teaching your child racism or religion is NOT child abuse. We may disagree with the practice (i'm not talking religion here) but parents have a right to teach their child their own beliefs. As long as we continue to have freedom of speech and expression, parents are able to form their own opinions in any matter and teach their children the same.

Is it good parenting? Probably not. But we don't have the right to force our beliefs and values on others in this country.

Our laws were not designed to protect children. In fact, the first documented case of child abuse was litigated based on animal cruelty statutes. The state does not intervene in a family situation unless there is clear and irrefutable evidence that a child is being harmed. Despite emotional abuse being very real, i have never witnessed a case where a child was removed from the home without some substantiating physical evidence.

We don't remove children from their homes for bad parenting. We remove children from homes when they are being abused and are in a situation that presents a clear and present danger to them.

 

[paganangel]

A little forced co-existance could do the whole world some good I think.

we tried that before. it worked out real well.

 

[BustyTheClown]

I agree with the level-headed people on the thread. Racism is a terrible thing for parents to teach their children, but there is nothing we can do about it as long as we have free speech.

I guess a question I have is, do racism and religious teachings often go hand in hand? Not "liberal" religious teachings, but more extreme Christians, Muslims, etc... I think there's definitely a connection there: "Whoever isn't in our religion deserves to be eradicated." I think both racism and extreme religion are devices best not taught to children, but as long as this is a free country, we will have bigots and ignorant bastards running around, trying to make life miserable for those not like themselves.

C'est la vie, eh?

 

[Clare Caxton]

When will you Yanks stop believing yours is a "free country" ?

 

[paganangel]

When will you Yanks stop believing yours is a "free country" ?

stay relevant to the topic at hand or start your own thread...dickwad.

 

[glamorilla]

I agree with the level-headed people on the thread. Racism is a terrible thing for parents to teach their children, but there is nothing we can do about it as long as we have free speech.

I guess a question I have is, do racism and religious teachings often go hand in hand? Not "liberal" religious teachings, but more extreme Christians, Muslims, etc... I think there's definitely a connection there: "Whoever isn't in our religion deserves to be eradicated." I think both racism and extreme religion are devices best not taught to children, but as long as this is a free country, we will have bigots and ignorant bastards running around, trying to make life miserable for those not like themselves.

C'est la vie, eh?

I agree...however I am hoping that as kids find themselves easily exposed to concepts of racism...along with other bad stuff...they are becoming a bit more savvy. I have lots of friends who are at odds with thier parents over this.

 

[Clare Caxton]

Fuck off paganangel - the question of "free country" is entirely relevant - look how many people have already said in this thread that parents cannot be stopped from teaching their kids what they want "because its a free country" !

It isnt free - and shouldnt be if that freedom allows the backward ideology of racists.

 

[BustyTheClown]

Fuck off paganangel - the question of "free country" is entirely relevant - look how many people have already said in this thread that parents cannot be stopped from teaching their kids what they want "because its a free country" !

It isnt free - and shouldnt be if that freedom allows the backward ideology of racists.

Alright, kids. The title of the thread says "a friendly debate," so stick to your original idea, pagan. We can talk about this like civilized people, we really can.

Maybe we are tossing around the words "free country" too much. But what is your problem with that Clare? We are talking about freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and other very pertinent freedoms that are definitely part of American life. Please tell us -- calmly -- what your qualms are. We'll behave.