Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on July 02, 2004 12:10 AM
I value giving information to children. I think it is the best way to deter, through education. I am a parent myself and we try to explain what we can to our kids.
However, as a parent, you also have to know when the information is too complex for your child to understand it. Try to explain a hate crime to a 6 year old. Try to explain why sex with humans is ok and animals is illegal. Try to explain why society cannot decide when you are legally an adult (18 to smoke, vote. 21 to drink, gamble own a handgun. 25 to rent a car without hassel). There are some issues that you need a well founded understanding of some basic principles that I just don't think all children are ready for.
But in the end you are right, education is the way. Just make sure it is the right education at the right time.
When my oldest reaches the age of 10 he will be going to a gun safety class and to a shooting range to learn how to hold, aim and shoot a gun properly. Once home he will learn to clean the gun, secure it and store it properly (in the safety deposit box at the bank).
Also when he turns 10, since he is a race fan, he will join Nascar Jr and start racing the 1/4 size dragsters. He will learn about the car, how to maintain and drive it safely.
I know a lot of the other replies are quite negative, but please don't devalue the power of knowledge.
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Re:The True Answer.
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on July 02, 2004 12:10 AMHowever, as a parent, you also have to know when the information is too complex for your child to understand it. Try to explain a hate crime to a 6 year old. Try to explain why sex with humans is ok and animals is illegal. Try to explain why society cannot decide when you are legally an adult (18 to smoke, vote. 21 to drink, gamble own a handgun. 25 to rent a car without hassel). There are some issues that you need a well founded understanding of some basic principles that I just don't think all children are ready for.
But in the end you are right, education is the way. Just make sure it is the right education at the right time.
When my oldest reaches the age of 10 he will be going to a gun safety class and to a shooting range to learn how to hold, aim and shoot a gun properly. Once home he will learn to clean the gun, secure it and store it properly (in the safety deposit box at the bank).
Also when he turns 10, since he is a race fan, he will join Nascar Jr and start racing the 1/4 size dragsters. He will learn about the car, how to maintain and drive it safely.
I know a lot of the other replies are quite negative, but please don't devalue the power of knowledge.
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