A Life Lesson With My Kid

Jayden wrote:

Star Forge wrote: As I've mentioned, we homeschool. My kid's 8 and already reading the Inferno- with my help- so she's irregularly smart. I just gave her the talk a few months ago- after she walked in on me and the lady (and now she makes a point to try to every time...)- so I thought it was time for another lesson. After a talk with Arcade earlier, I felt it was time to teach the kid about gay people.

Now, in the ideology I am raising my kid in, as well as our religion, homosexuality is a taboo. But Sam O'Connor breaks rules more than he breaks toilets at the Golden Corral, so here's what I taught her. Here's "The History of Gayness" from a far-right perspective, courtesy of me.

The preface I gave her is that, unlike religion, race, philosophy, culture, or nationality, sexuality does not influence a person's behavior, IQ, values, or anything. A gay American is just an American. A gay white man is just a white man. And so on. And here's what I taught her.

Gay people can be loving fathers, family-oriented, geniuses, and men of God: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oscar_Wilde

Gay people can be patriots: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pim_Fortuyn

And also, one of our favorite musicians: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaahl

Interesting. My first thought is that she is only 8 years old so her brain still functions as an 8 year old. How much of this is she really grasping. Pim Foruyn had some very strong opinions about Muslims and Islam. Many peolple share that opinion while others do not. Does she truly understantd his political positions. The difference between far left and far right politics??? I'm not so sure.

When I read your musical example of Ghaal a black metal singer my first thought was what's wrong with Elton John??? Isn't that more age appropriate. Hopefully you are showing her a variety of musical influences.

I guess what I am trying to say is I hope you are showing her less extreme things in order for her to form her own opinion. I hope you are showing her things in order for her to be socially accepted as well.

All kids want to be accepted. It is a big part of their learning process and growth.

Jayden
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Well, she's read some Oscar Wilde. I explained to her who and what Pim was. She know US politics and how it works in and out, believe it or not, and I take no credit for this.

As for Gaahl, he's one of her favorite musicians.

[quote="Star Forge" post=122226. [/quote]

I've thought that as well. [/quote]

Unfortunately, I'm totally serious.[/quote]

Could be? Who is to say? Not I.

Star Forge wrote: Well, she's read some Oscar Wilde. I explained to her who and what Pim was. She know US politics and how it works in and out, believe it or not, and I take no credit for this.

As for Gaahl, he's one of her favorite musicians.

I do think it is great that she has a basic understanding of politics.

Is Gaahl her favorite lead singer because he is your favorite lead singer?

I'm interested to know about her social interactions. Does she have friends her own age? Are you making it a point in her education to meet and interact with friends her own age?

Jayden wrote:

Star Forge wrote: Well, she's read some Oscar Wilde. I explained to her who and what Pim was. She know US politics and how it works in and out, believe it or not, and I take no credit for this.

As for Gaahl, he's one of her favorite musicians.

I do think it is great that she has a basic understanding of politics.

Is Gaahl her favorite lead singer because he is your favorite lead singer?

I'm interested to know about her social interactions. Does she have friends her own age? Are you making it a point in her education to expose her to children her own age?

I actually don't listen to Gorgoroth a lot. I prefer the black metal from Eastern Europe, though I of course like the Norwegian stuff as well. She likes Gaahl, because we play Wardruna records at night to fall asleep (his non-metal folk band).

She doesn't like other kids. I guess she inherited it from me- all my friends were older. I'm not living her life for her, this is just how she turned out.

Star Forge wrote:

Jayden wrote:

Star Forge wrote: Well, she's read some Oscar Wilde. I explained to her who and what Pim was. She know US politics and how it works in and out, believe it or not, and I take no credit for this.

As for Gaahl, he's one of her favorite musicians.

I do think it is great that she has a basic understanding of politics.

Is Gaahl her favorite lead singer because he is your favorite lead singer?

I'm interested to know about her social interactions. Does she have friends her own age? Are you making it a point in her education to expose her to children her own age?

I actually don't listen to Gorgoroth a lot. I prefer the black metal from Eastern Europe, though I of course like the Norwegian stuff as well. She likes Gaahl, because we play Wardruna records at night to fall asleep (his non-metal folk band).

She doesn't like other kids. I guess she inherited it from me- all my friends were older. I'm not living her life for her, this is just how she turned out.

Thank you Star Forge. I think it is great that you are teaching her about the world , politics, gay rights and music. These are all important subjects.

Food for thought. Maybe try to find out why she doesn't like other children? Teaching her social skills is also part of her education and your responsibility as a teacher and a parent. Even if it is not your best subject, it is still important that she finds her place in society and amoung her peers.

A well adjusted child is a happy child. Good luck to you.

Jayden
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Jayden wrote:

Star Forge wrote:

Jayden wrote:

Star Forge wrote: Well, she's read some Oscar Wilde. I explained to her who and what Pim was. She know US politics and how it works in and out, believe it or not, and I take no credit for this.

As for Gaahl, he's one of her favorite musicians.

I do think it is great that she has a basic understanding of politics.

Is Gaahl her favorite lead singer because he is your favorite lead singer?

I'm interested to know about her social interactions. Does she have friends her own age? Are you making it a point in her education to expose her to children her own age?

I actually don't listen to Gorgoroth a lot. I prefer the black metal from Eastern Europe, though I of course like the Norwegian stuff as well. She likes Gaahl, because we play Wardruna records at night to fall asleep (his non-metal folk band).

She doesn't like other kids. I guess she inherited it from me- all my friends were older. I'm not living her life for her, this is just how she turned out.

Thank you Star Forge. I think it is great that you are teaching her about the world , politics, gay rights and music. These are all important subjects.

Food for thought. Maybe try to find out why she doesn't like other children? Teaching her social skills is also part of her education and your responsibility as a teacher and a parent. Even if it is not your best subject, it is still important that she finds her place in society and amoung her peers.

A well adjusted child is a happy child. Good luck to you.

Jayden
...
/|\

Her social skills aren't in question. She just prefers adults. Yes, she's abnormally attached to me, but I am to her as well.

Wescli Wardest wrote:
Star Forge and sidvkili, sometimes I feel as if the two of you are running a shock and awe cmpaign. Part of me thinks that neither of you can be serious, and part of me hopes you're not. Maybe I am just not liberal enough? Everyone is welcome to their own beliefs and opinions.

I wasn't being serious here, satire. If you want my serious posts you can find them where you see a serious tone.

It's a little disheartening to know that despite my activity on over three sites, numerous topics and debate here as well as my journal where I remain in a civil manner for the most part, I can be hypocritically dismissed as a shock-seeker because sometimes I just like to goof around...

And yes I understand that my actions recently have been shocking, but still.

And yes I understand that my actions recently have been shocking, but still.

Try using these more... :laugh:

@ sidvkili,

If that is the case, then I apologize. I try to use the emocons (smile’s) to help convey my tone in a reply. And when I am serious I don’t use them.

And keep in mind, I said sometimes. Not always.

@ StarForge,

I don’t doubt that your daughter is advanced for her age and I am glad that you support her desire to learn… that’s awesome. Too many parents do not spend enough time being involved in their child’s life in my opinion. Personally, I would still not read Dante’s Inferno to a child… especially knowing the background of the Church and what the book was intended for. But again, that is just my opinion.

Star Forge wrote: ... just prefers adults.

I did too, because I moved a lot as a kid and never really had time to make lasting/trusted relationships - plus adults seemed much smarter and more interesting then kids. Unfortunately a kid who might make a point about preferring adults might really be saying they are uncomfortable with peer social interaction, in which case it could be an indication to a lack of social skills reaching a level where they might fear it enough to avoid it by having that preference. As an adult a person needs to operate as an adult peer 'insider' not an adult child 'outsider'. It's up to the individual of course, as I'd rather be a thinker then a gossiper, but balance is important IMO.