›
If you have an email ending in @hotmail.com, @live.com or @outlook.com (or any other Microsoft-related domain), please consider changing it to another email provider; Microsoft decided to instantly block the server's IP, so emails can't be sent to these addresses.
If you use an @yahoo.com email or any related Yahoo services, they have blocked us also due to "user complaints"
-UE

Weird social attitudes to children

captainbrasscaptainbrass
edited 2011-11-06 08:15:00 in Meatspace

In the last three churches I've attended, at the end of the service the vicar has called the children from what's basically the Sunday school (but not called that any more) down to the front and asked them what they've been doing. It's usually some kiddy-type painting/craftwork connected to a Bible story. Then we're all supposed to clap them.

1. Why do we, the congregation in general, actually need to know what the kids are up to? It's not as if they're likely to come up with new and startling theological insights - they're kids. If the parents want to know, they can ask the child.

2. Why are we publicly clapping kids for doing paintings of the standard you'd expect kids to produce anyway? It's not a big achievement and again, if Mum and Dad want to tell little Jimmy his painting's good they can do that themselves. Really, it's just conditioning the children to expect praise for everything.  

Comments

  • Wicked223Wicked223
    We Played Some Open Chords and Rejoiced, For the Earth Had Circled the Sun Yet Another Year
    You're giving them positive reinforcement in their attempts to become closer to God, to ensure they remain within in the church and don't do any of those pesky things like get into sexual relationships and form political opinions their parents don't like.
  • GelzoGelzo
    Pony Sleuth
    (You could just not go to church.)

    But I think it's generally understood that the efforts of children need to be encouraged even when they're not great. At that age, having them take pride in their work is a better lesson than telling them they need to work harder and for many years before what they do is appreciated. Also, kids are cute, and some people just like to see what they're up to.

    I guess it's fair to complain if you want something different from an organization and can't find one. But, you asked for the why, and it seems simple enough to me.
  • captainbrasscaptainbrass

    ^ I don't think it bugs me that much. It's partly that they insist on doing it at the end of the service when I'd quite like to leave, or at least go and have a cup of tea.


    I don't mind kids being encouraged to take pride in their work and I wouldn't want to give out the message that "whatever you do isn't good enough, you must always work harder to get our praise." But in adult life, you don't expect praise for doing what all normal adults do, and that has to kick in at some point, or you'll get a terrible shock when it does.


     


     

Sign In or Register to comment.