Is forcing children to say the Pledge of Allegiance in school like brainwashing?

Question

Is it important to teach patriotic values or should children form their own values?

Answer 1

Do one HAS to say the pledge to be patriotic?

What ever happen to the freedom of speech and the right of beliefs?

EDIT: I totally agree with cpttango30. It seems that if you DO NOT join in saying the pledge - you are treated as a leper (by the same people who preach that ones has the freedom of worship) but at the same time - it is ok to steal movies and music from the internet.

Cheers

Answer 2

I remember being a kid and saying the pledge in school. I just recited from memory. I never paid attention to or thought about what it actually meant. I just knew we had to say it every day for whatever reason, so I did it. I think most kids are that way. So, you're not brainwashing OR teaching patriotism. You're just making kids recite some lines every day at the beginning of the school day. You could make them recite a recipe for bundt cake every day and it would have the same effect that The Pledge of Allegiance has. "Two cups of flour, in a bag, that I got from Erica. And to the Publix, I will go...."

Answer 3

I believe that the children of today are being brainwashed all the time in many many many different ways. Look at television, what do you hear from your kid on about every 3rd commercial? "Dadddddyyyyy/Mommmmmyyyyy, can you buy me that?" and if you do buy them it, they will start to think that you will get them anything you ask for and they will get spoiled.

If you don't buy them that specific thing, they will get angry, yeah it will pass, but you have to think about what that will affect to them as they mature. I never got anything I wanted and I stand here at 14 years old, thinking im ugly, and I shoulden't beliving and that no one loves me. It is not a good feeling, not at all.

"Brainwashing" can be a good thing sometimes, and the children do need to learn to respect there country, so I say that children saying the Pledge of Allegiance is a good thing and should stay, the affects could be good in the long run.

Answer 4

Hold it! No one forces children to say the Pledge of Allegiance. When I was in elementary school in the 70's,we said it every morning. If you didn't want to,you simply stayed sitting down. But no one was ever forced.
Children in incapable of teaching themselves values because they don't know any better. It takes an adult to teach the child.

Answer 5

They aren't forcing children to say the Pledge of Allegiance. When I was in school certain kids didn't say it all because of religious beliefs. I do think it is good for schools to instill patriotic values in children and family must do the same.

Answer 6

As a child I said it I did not feel forced I just did it. When I think of it now it really did not mean much. Most of the Kids have no idea of what they are pledging. I never really pledged until I joined the US Air Force. S I would not sweat it.

Answer 7

Isn't allegiance to our "clan" a very fundamental self, and clan, preservation essential?
We aren't that far removed from the caveman when clan loyalty could mean the difference between surviving or not. It is, after all, just an extension of nuclear family - extended family - neighbour support - community support. It's good to know that there is another loyal guy right beside you who is on your side when push comes to shove and there is a Woolly Mammoth creeping up behind you!
Whatever you teach them, the chances are that your kids will vote with their feet and follow their peers.

Answer 8

In that they are taught merely to memorize and say the words not "forced" to "live the doctrine" I don't think that it is. If they develop a sense of patriotism on their own and attach real meaning and feeling to those words that is their privilege. Most children are simply reciting the pledge and do not stop to consider the meaning behind it.

Answer 9

You can't force children to say the pledge in school. A classmate of my younger brothers family actually schooled the school when they tried to make him say the pledge of allegiance. I'm not sure about all states, but I know that in most states it's optional.

As to the exact question, forcing anybody to say anything is against the first amendment in my opinion.

Answer 10

It is the failing of the parents to teach Values and morals to their children now that are going to cause our downfall as a society tomorrow. I see kids treat their parents like scum and the parents do what ever the kids tell them to do. Video games TV iPods DVD players computers cell phones. we shower our kids with this crap then complain when our kids a re materialistic.

Today I see that it is OK to steal if you are downloading music off the Internet. It is OK to cheat as long as you get it off the Internet. Just look at the Homework help section 99% do not want help they want someone that has done the work and knows what to do to do it for them.

I see kids that can not ride in a car 3 miles to school without having a TV in their face. too many kids walk around dazed with iPods stuck in their ears.