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Spectator Editorial: Rug rat politics
Political garb for children could lead to conflicts
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Editorial/Opinion
"My Mama's for Obama." "Bush is My Homeboy." "I Only Cry When Democrats Hold Me."
These are only a small sampling of the slogans being emblazoned on children's t-shirts and toddler clothing, which are gaining in popularity as the primary season heats up, according to a Feb. 4 article on CNN.com. These items, along with children's books with titles such as "Why Mommy is a Democrat" and "Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed," make up a new wave of political products aimed toward children.
But while it's certainly the choice of every parent to press upon children whatever beliefs they think are best, we must be cognizant of the potential situations having children wearing political t-shirts. Politics is an issue that can evoke strong reactions from people - wearing a "Weepublican" or "Demoquat" t-shirt could lead a person to form conclusions or even biases against children and their families.
It's important for parents to instill a core set of beliefs in their children. Some people identify their morals with political parties, so it would seem natural to push a certain political party on a child in an attempt to raise them to be the best person possible. Parents need to know that some people take their politics very seriously, though. Problems could range from fighting at school between children wearing two conflicting political t-shirts to a teacher of the opposite political persuasion making judgments about a child.
In the end, though, it's most essential that parents educate their children about politics. If having children wear these shirts or reading these stories ultimately gets them involved in the political process, then they serve a useful purpose. But parents must toe the line between education and brainwashing - when children finally reach voting age, they should be voting according to their minds, not on what the t-shirts their parents bought them say.
These are only a small sampling of the slogans being emblazoned on children's t-shirts and toddler clothing, which are gaining in popularity as the primary season heats up, according to a Feb. 4 article on CNN.com. These items, along with children's books with titles such as "Why Mommy is a Democrat" and "Help! Mom! There Are Liberals Under My Bed," make up a new wave of political products aimed toward children.
But while it's certainly the choice of every parent to press upon children whatever beliefs they think are best, we must be cognizant of the potential situations having children wearing political t-shirts. Politics is an issue that can evoke strong reactions from people - wearing a "Weepublican" or "Demoquat" t-shirt could lead a person to form conclusions or even biases against children and their families.
It's important for parents to instill a core set of beliefs in their children. Some people identify their morals with political parties, so it would seem natural to push a certain political party on a child in an attempt to raise them to be the best person possible. Parents need to know that some people take their politics very seriously, though. Problems could range from fighting at school between children wearing two conflicting political t-shirts to a teacher of the opposite political persuasion making judgments about a child.
In the end, though, it's most essential that parents educate their children about politics. If having children wear these shirts or reading these stories ultimately gets them involved in the political process, then they serve a useful purpose. But parents must toe the line between education and brainwashing - when children finally reach voting age, they should be voting according to their minds, not on what the t-shirts their parents bought them say.
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