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September 8, 2005
How to Mess Up Perfectly Good Children: A Primer
Here's a story about a nice family. Two devout Catholic parents doing their very best to raise their children in the Catholic tradition.
So why does this story send chills through me? I'm not opposed to anyone of any religion teaching their children their faith. What I am opposed to is the effect religious brainwashing has on children. I agree parents carry the burden of educating their children, but I consider home-schooling the worst form of education. While it may be an acceptable way to teach the "three R's", I think it retards socialization and critical thinking skills.
The well meaning parents in this article only want to protect their children from all the evil in the world, but those kids will not always be kids, and are going to need some life skills in dealing with evil or they will be eaten alive when they finally reach the "real world". This is why we vaccinate our children against harmful diseases, we understand exposure to certain levels of the bacteria or viruses which cause those diseases will build immunity, should they be confronted with those bugs later in life their body will know how to fight it.
While these parents may hold a deep faith, they are teaching their children mindless religious practices. Staring at a cruxifix on a wall for five minutes may be a deeply touching time for an adult, but it means nothing to a child. I strongly recommend they take a day off from their "routine" and read Alice Miller's "For Your Own Good". I would send them my copy, but I've already loaned it out.
Posted by Anna at September 8, 2005 1:12 PM