Do you think Children should be sheltered from the harsh realities of life? Or should they know the truth?

Answer 1

I think that a parent/adult must use the very best judgement in deciding what "realities" they wish to expose their children to.

Children's minds have to grow and develop at a given rate, and it's pretty difficult to mess with that and try to "expedite" their development.

Children should be given as much explanation of an event or concept as they seem capable of internalizing and understanding.

Death is not necessarily a particularly hard concept to teach. Deeper spiritual explanations may take time.

Evil is not that hard to explain; life certainly provides ample examples of that on a daily basis. Children begin by thinking of it in terms of being "mean" or "not fair." It takes them time to fully internalize a broader sense of physical, emotional and psychological pain.

I do not believe in hiding any kind of "truth" from a child. What is the point of that?

Answer 2

Even the ugliest realities of life can be explained in a tone and way that take the harshness out. E.g. the dog died...if the child is too young for the concept then the dog did go to another special place etc. My partner and I have a child and this is a very relevant discussion for us.

My partner led a very sheltered 'wrapped-up-in-cottonwool-life' and whilst his childhood was wonderful and loving, he now finds it harder to deal with the realities of life. He resents the fact that his parents decided what he should and should not know. He believes his inability to handle certain issues today is because he was cut out of the loop when growing up. The same is true for his sibling.

We believe a palatable version of the truth should be presented to the child. If this leads to questions then you know the child genuinely is ready for a bit more detail. Don't think lying helps in the long run.

All this said a child's innocence does not need to be robbed.

Answer 3

Children should know the age appropriate truth. I wouldn't scare a little kid to death with all the bad stuff in the world, but as they ask questions, give them truthful answers, adjusted for their age and maturity, one harsh reality at a time. Children have a need to know they are protected from bad stuff, so be sure to point out the things that are good as well!

Answer 4

What age children? You can be honest with children without being harsh. Telling children that "scruffy" the family dog went to a special farm where he could chase bunnies all the time is wrong. Taking the time to explain death might be more difficult, but it will be better for the children in the long run. Children are smarter than adults give them credit for. And they remember everything they were lied to about. It is only destroying trust. Be honest but compasionate at the same time.

Answer 5

I think that children should be aware of the realities of the world, including all the good and some of the bad, while filtering what you tell them according to their age and development. This way by the time they are old enough to comprehend the magnitude of the world around them they also have a full view of it based in reality.

Answer 6

i think children need the truth from the beginning...not necessarily all the harsh stuff, but truth in communication by the parents...such as the existence of sandy claws, for example, and the estrous bunny, and the kinky gayblade with the dental fetish...kids eventually turn 7 or 8 or 10 and begin to figure things out for themselves, and then the instigators of such myths (parents and marketers) are made out to be the liars they are, it is no wonder there are so many trust issues with so many people.

Answer 7

In general, as a LAW? Or specifically as it regards being a parent?

Certainly as a parent we should guard against undue influences and physical harms that might affect our children, while at the same time teaching them that (If you stick your hand in a fire, you will get burned),,,(WITHOUT actually causing them to have the experience)

They must have a balance in "Learning" and enlightenment, even before they have an adequate experiencial, cognizant, thought processes developed) Once they "evolve" and if they've been appropriately given "TOOLS", they'll form their own opinions and associations anyway,,, If for no other reason than to break free to be (themselves) BTW as parents, many view the process as a childs constant desire to rebel. It isn't that at all.

Steven Wolf

An abstract analogy of how to teach a child (Example)

What not to say: "Don't leave your toys on the floor."

What to say: "Please pick up your toys."

Answer 8

I think people should let kids be kids.... After about the age of 13 kids start seeing the harsh realities of life for themselves and it goes downhill from there.

It's all about learning from experience. Don't think there's any need to take away the only years a child will live in complete happiness and childlike bliss by trying to explain things to them they won't understand anyway until they make their own mistakes.

Answer 9

They should know the truth when they are of age, as in about 7 or 8 start letting them know not evryone is nice and good, just expose them alittle at a time so as not to send hem into shock.

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!!!!! They should even be more realistic in school teaching children about the world and the wars and etc....politics at a young age. The children are the future, EDUCATE them. Honesty is good and children appreciate that as adults. I only wish my parents would have been more open with me.