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Originally Posted by slinky
I remember my mum saying to me when I was 15years old ''you kids grow up too quick these days, worrying about boyfriends, drinking, smoking,sex'' she said ''when I was 15years old we were still playing on parks and swings''. Then people realise why the next generation are growing up too quick.
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I agree with you unreservedly that children should be allowed to be children for as long as possible but unfortunately it's difficult to keep them away from an awareness of alcohol tobacco and sex. The moment they leave your side and go to school outside influences are there whether you like it or not.
Personally I'm not keen on the idea of Primary School children having any form of sex education and yet they talk to each other about things you may not even imagine. I would rather my children learned from a responsible adult than from rumours amongst themselves. I have always tried to openly and honestly answer any questions they may have without showing embarrassment in the hope that should they have any problems they would not be afraid to discuss them with me (or my wife).
There have probably always been children who want to try alcohol before they are legally of an age to do so. I don't encourage mine to drink and as for smoking they already tell their Granddad it's a mugs game and he should stop.
I'd like to protect my children from the worries of life for as long as possible but in a way which acknowledges that such things exist but that they don't have to concern themselves too much about them yet.
Obviously from the different responses in this thread there are people who feel that death isn't something that children need to be protected from in the same way they need to be protected from alcohol tobacco and drugs and yet others like yourself who don't even want to face it themselves. The fact that many people find a comfort in being able to see the images of the deceased Pontiff is enough reason for the papers to have published them in my opinion. It may be difficult for you to prevent your children seeing them if that is what you wish to do but one day it may be totally impossible for you to prevent them seeing a deceased person in the flesh. You have no control over when and where that may happen.
A teacher may have a heart attack whilst they are at school. An adult or a child may have a road accident. Many things occur which we have no control over and I feel that if my children are partially prepared by having no fear of death then if they do have such an experience it will be less traumatic for them.
We'll simply have to agree to disagree on that.