Why are we turning our kids into sissies?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm not your dear, dragonboy

Some things ARE common courtesy...as far as a party is concerned, I as the mother would invite the whole class...not because I had to but because I want to.

But for a school to mandate this type of behavior s stupid. We all went thru the same issues at school...we did ok, no? It is not the school's job to make sure kids are coddled and congratulated for being the last one in the race. And again, according to this article....your precious lil candy hearts to your secret lil crushes would be against rules.

We have become a wayy too politically correct, eggshell walking, bunch of crybabies.

Do you want my lunch money in advance or do I have to endure the daily beatings?

...dear was meant as affectionate sarcasm...dear.

[Ban Hammer 13,337]

I'm not your dear, dragonboy

Some things ARE common courtesy...as far as a party is concerned, I as the mother would invite the whole class...not because I had to but because I want to.

But for a school to mandate this type of behavior s stupid. We all went thru the same issues at school...we did ok, no? It is not the school's job to make sure kids are coddled and congratulated for being the last one in the race. And again, according to this article....your precious lil candy hearts to your secret lil crushes would be against rules.

We have become a wayy too politically correct, eggshell walking, bunch of crybabies.

Do you want my lunch money in advance or do I have to endure the daily beatings?

...dear was meant as affectionate sarcasm...dear.

quit flirting steve

[I'm Gone 60]

Take Valentine's Day: At some schools, a second-grader can't offer paper valentines or heart-shaped candies to a short list of pals and secret crushes anymore. They give cards to everyone or no one at all.

I didn't have our daughter give out cards just for that reason. Why should she be forced to give cards to kids she doesn't like.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

As a parent of teenagers, I will say that the best way of socialization for your kids is to have them play with other kids beyond just at school. Some kids are naturally more shy and less adaptive at socialization. Some can be naturally inclined towards being sensitive. No matter, they will learn to adjust and adapt but you don't want the essence of their personalities wiped away the way prisons change people. There needs to be balance.

And Lisa...I hope God with His great sense of humor will bring you a daughter someday who's favorite color is pink, who hates getting mud on her hands, and cries if someone just looks at her sternly.

Take Valentine's Day: At some schools, a second-grader can't offer paper valentines or heart-shaped candies to a short list of pals and secret crushes anymore. They give cards to everyone or no one at all.

I didn't have our daughter give out cards just for that reason. Why should she be forced to give cards to kids she doesn't like.

Because it's polite?

Edited August 9, 2006 by Steven_and_Jinky

[I'm Gone 60]

Because it's polite?

That's f*cking BS. Not giving a kid a card is not being rude. Why should a kid be made to give the appearance that they like everyone if they don't.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Why should a kid be made to give the appearance that they like everyone if they don't.

It's actually pretty useful for when they grow up and have to do it in the real world! Seriously -- do you guys openly shun/exclude people you don't like when it comes to business?

[I'm Gone 60]

Why should a kid be made to give the appearance that they like everyone if they don't.

It's actually pretty useful for when they grow up and have to do it in the real world! Seriously -- do you guys openly shun/exclude people you don't like when it comes to business?

Yeah if I don't like someone at work I only speak with them when I have to speak with them.

[*Robert* 2]

Because it's polite?

That's f*cking BS. Not giving a kid a card is not being rude. Why should a kid be made to give the appearance that they like everyone if they don't.

I agree... what happens later on in life, and you want to have a party and invite some of your co-workers? Are you supposed to invite the whole office just so that no one gets offended? They have to learn sometime, it might as well be from the beginning. Why teach kids one thing, then later on change the rules, and therefore send mixed messages?

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Does that include potential clients you don't like or bosses you don't like? If I snubbed everyone I didn't like (and I work in an industry of #######) I'm not sure how far I'd get.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Because it's polite?

That's f*cking BS. Not giving a kid a card is not being rude. Why should a kid be made to give the appearance that they like everyone if they don't.

I take it you don't have a job that requires much interpersonal relating.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Are Children 'Naturally' Caring?

People sometimes think that children don't really 'see' the outside world -- or other people -- the way adults do, that they view the world from their own eyes and in their own way. But is this true?

Researchers used to believe that a sense of real caring about others came as people grow into adulthood. But now studies are finding that children can show signs of empathy and concern from a very early age.

For example, a study by psychologists Carolyn Zahn-Waxler, Ph.D., Marian Radke-Yarrow, Ph.D., and Robert King, Ph.D. observed children whose parents were hurt somehow -- either physically (e.g. father having a bad headache) or emotionally (e.g. mother received bad news and was crying). They discovered that even very young children had a pretty well-developed sense of empathy.

They reacted with concern, wanting to help or 'fix' the problem, and they offered comfort and compassion to the parent who was hurt.

For instance, one mother had an argument with her husband and began crying. Her daughter, who was 21 months old, came and sat on her lap and became very physically affectionate: 'Then she leaned over, and kissed me on the forehead. And that just cleared up all the depression, and I reached over and hugged her. And then she began to smile, and she looked relieved.'

It isn't just young children who have these kinds of reactions. And it isn't just for their parents that they have these feelings. A few years ago, a twelve-year-old Philadelphia boy opened his own shelter for homeless people. Many studies have shown that children respond quickly and with concern to a classmate, friend, family neighbor, or to a stranger, who is being hurt. It's well known, too, that children have a natural affinity for animals and a desire to help them.

One study, by Ziporah Magen, Ph.D., and Rachel Aharoni, Ph.D. found that teenagers who were involved in helping others felt very positive about their lives and had high hopes for their own futures. 'It was a wonderful feeling,' reported one student in this study. 'My feeling as free as a sparrow made me feel glad and happy and that life is an exciting thing.'

[chri'stina 190]

Does that include potential clients you don't like or bosses you don't like? If I snubbed everyone I didn't like (and I work in an industry of #######) I'm not sure how far I'd get.

I don't work right now but when I did, I had to learn to have a polite attitude to everyone around me or else I'd be miserable at work. Sure there were people I couldn't stand, but I still felt it's better to be polite than to start trouble. But maybe that's just a personality difference among people. I am not good at snubbing people in person, even when I don't like them. Even if I try to snub them, I end up smiling and saying 'hello'. I'm a wimp maybe? Or polite? Well, that is how my parents raised me to be.

I kind of think a 1st graders birthday party is different than a work party. At all of my jobs, I don't think I've ever hung out with any of my co-workers outside of work.

Edited August 9, 2006 by stina&suj

[*Robert* 2]

Does that include potential clients you don't like or bosses you don't like? If I snubbed everyone I didn't like (and I work in an industry of #######) I'm not sure how far I'd get.

Oh I see... so rather than upset someone you don't like, you are fake and pretend to kiss their azz?

That will be the day!!! I don't pretend to like anyone!

Inviting the boss would be political, and unless there is a good working relationship, I wouldn't expect my boss to come, nor would I attend one of my employee's functions if I felt it would make the situation uncomfortable.

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

It's not exactly an eitherkiss their ### or else upset them situation -- there is a third way.

If it's off company time, it doesn't matter -- but if it involves, say office lunch or work-related social/offsite event it does -- there are some people you HAVE to get along with, you don't have a choice unless you want to start looking for another job.

[MrMrsKnight 0]

Oh, the American entitlement mentality.

Life happens. You lose a deal, don't get the promotion, get fired. You don't get the man you want, the house you want, the life you feel you deserve.

Bring back forced-curve grading, get kids used to the fact that you're not going to win all the damn time.

(Sorry, I feel kinda strongly about that one!)

I'm with you on that!