kenberg Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Winston notes that lacking details we are (and I hope Winston includes himself) making guesses about those details. Of course we do not know how this came about. But general views emerge anyway. For example, particularly seeking out soldiers to participate would not seem right to me, nor would excluding or discouraging soldiers/ For kids that age, I would hope it is some kids get their parents to drop in and discuss what they do for a living. Drug dealers would not be acceptable and would not be likely to come. I would hope we could go easy on the lap dancers, but I wouldn't go ape if one, someone's mother, showed up. Or a lobbyist for a military contractor. Over the years, kids will see a lot and they will put it together. To choose, you must first see the choices. Most of these things that upset the adults are taken in stride by the kids. I fondly remember the Halloween bonfires at the playground during WWII. Hitler, Mussolini and Hirohito, all doused in gasoline and flaming away. Made me the serial killer I am today. No it didn't. Understanding the adult world is an ongoing process. I wouldn't care much for someone coming in with a powerpoint presentation, I much prefer a parent coming in and chatting, but even the powerpoint could be useful. The kids can use it to tone up their skills in recognizing bullshit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted November 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Winston notes that lacking details we are (and I hope Winston includes himself) No doubt none of us - myself included - know the particulars of this career day. I have to agree that kids are good at digging out from under the bullshit, but the story here is not the kids. We do not know what exactly happened. If some kid's father was a soldier and came to the school that is no big deal; however, if the U.S. Army responded to a elementary school career day that would be ridiculous, IMO. It's not about the kids - it's about what the adults did or didn't do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barmar Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 While we may not know the specifics of this career day, most of us are familiar with the general practice. We've either been students at schools that had them, or have been parents who participated in them. I think it's relatively safe to assume that this was a typical career day, where parents came in and talked for a few minutes about what they do. Since it was for kindergarteners, I'd expect the level of discourse to be comparable to a Sesame Street episode. It's not a high school career fair, where students are actively exploring their future prospects. It's just a way for children to learn about what people do. And I wouldn't expect 5-year-olds to understand any explanation - but that is not justification for lying. Maybe a better argument for not being there in the first place?It's not lying, it's simplifying to their level of understanding. 5-year-olds don't understand grey areas. The people that soldiers kill are our enemies, and in a simple universe where there's only good and bad, enemies are bad.Did the soldier mention the horrors of war? Did he talk about all of the PTSD vets? Did he mention that the US security and it's defense is determined by economic profit incentives?Do you really expect someone to talk about these things to 5-year-olds? How could a child that age possibly understand anything about "economic profit incentives"? I suppose you could try to explain that it's like someone who has all the toys, but doesn't let anyone else play with them, so we have to make them let us. But is kindergarten Career Day really the appropriate place for teaching about politics, foreign policy, and political corruption? I'm fairly confident that 5-year-olds don't give a rat's ass about the job market - real or imaginary. Santa and the Tooth Fairy are the only jobs they really care about.I think typical job aspirations at that age are astronaut, cowboy, and fireman for boys, princess and movie star for girls. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArtK78 Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 It is clear that every child should be assigned a permanent bubble. They shall live their entire lives inside that bubble, free from the influences of the real world. Come on, people. The idea that it is wrong to have a career day in school which exposes 5 and 6 year olds to the careers of their classmates is bizarre. This is not indoctrination - it is real life. Even 5 and 6 year olds live in this world. And that is part of their education. If one of the students has a parent in the military, that is something that they should be proud of, not ashamed of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdonn Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Winston I mean this in the nicest possible way.... You've officially gone bonkers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 As the Welcome Wagon chair of the state of Bonkers, I extend greetings to all those new residents officially residing with us. There will be a group chant this coming Saturday to celebrate Winston's arrival. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted November 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 As the Welcome Wagon chair of the state of Bonkers, I extend greetings to all those new residents officially residing with us. There will be a group chant this coming Saturday to celebrate Winston's arrival. Thenk you, thenk you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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