Silence is Golden; Children should be seen and not heard?

Question

Is that correct? Does it mean that children should be only seen as an ornament and not listened to? Please give me your invaluable opinions!!

Answer 1

Nothing could be further from the truth, apart perhaps from George Bush's claim that Iraq had WMD's.

This antiquated saying originated in Victorian England and is a reflection of that society's contempt for children and the view that children were an unfortunate side effect of having sex. Remember contraceptives methods were non existent in those days and if you indulged in sexual activity you inevitably ended up getting pregnant.

The saying originated in predominately middle and upper class households as the working classes were happy enough simply to exploit their kids by employing them in various industrial establishments and other dangerous employments such as chimney cleaning and stealing. This also explains the middle class and higher Victorian custom of packing your children off to boarding schools and employing nannys to look after them, anything other than cherish and respect them.

Thankfully in modern society we have learnt that children are a blessing, not a burden, and part of this new found respect and appreciation for children has come partly from our ability to choose when the time is right, emotionally and financially, to begin a family and also from increased support for families because of predominately Liberal philosophies and legislation.

Personally I believe that our Victorian ancestors missd out on one of the greatest pleasures that can be experienced by human beings, the unconditional love that only children can impart, and their indifference to their children has caused untold misery and emotional trauma to countless children, the effects of which can still be seen today as subsequent generations of Victorian children attempt to immitate the values that were instilled in them as children to the detriment of society as a whole.

Thankfully today children are begining to be treated with the care, respect and admiration that they truly deserve as our future generations of adults; and societies throughout the world have realised that children have rights just the same as anyone else on this planet and those rights include the right to be heard as well as being seen and a right to have a say in the world they live in.

Answer 2

Shel Silverstien has performed quite a few poem books for little ones. they're tremendous. I truly have the full set. the position the Sidewalk Ends mild contained in the Attic Falling Up The Giving Tree (astonishing) etc

Answer 3

no i would say it means children should behave in adult company and keep themselves amused. Kids tend to take over and be rude if you let them. You should listen if they need advice but all in good time not while visiting. They should respect older people and teachers too

Answer 4

there are times when it's okay for children to act goofy and be loud, but there are times when children need to be silent.. especially when they're out in public.. when I'm at the store, I don't want to hear other peoples' kids yelling and being obnoxious.. I'm only talking about kids who are old enough to know better though.. babies don't know any better.. they just scream when they aren't happy.. but by the time they're 2 years old, the kids should know they shouldn't be loud and obnoxious out in public..

Answer 5

It means that kids should be quiet and behave. But most kids are not capable of sitting still and being quiet for very long. Kids should not be expected to do things they are not capable of.

Answer 6

NO WAY! when there not heard:
1. theyre usually into something
2.you WANT to hear them. keep in touch w/their lives
3.Ive always taught to my son to speak his mind. It makes for a strong will. (and that he does!)
4.Theyre people, too. if we dont listen, who will?
................if theyre going to act-up-best done at home!Ive never had to deal with the "dress him up but cant take him anywhere" statement-nothing but raves about his behavior elsewhere!

Answer 7

Would be nice sometimes. I could use some peace and quiet...but making it 'a rule' is taking it to far for modern times.