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Post by Very Funky Disco on Jul 26, 2011 16:24:51 GMT -5
Oh, I'm all for it! After all, what does it matter if one prefers to spend the day in their pajamas when they have no other plans? Besides, donning your pajama pants in public seems to have been situating in the category of "socially acceptable" for several years now. I completely agree with that. I know some people really don't like that trend, but I really think these people should also mind their own businesses. Of course, I could also say the same thing of those who flame other people for liking music that they don't like. I also don't think the parents would make a big issue about their children ordering the same thing, every time they eat out. Sometimes, they might offer alternate suggestions for their children - but eating out is supposed to be a treat for children. So, when you make a big deal about their ordering habits, it makes the experience less enjoyable. The only possible exception I could see to that, is if the children wanted the most expensive item on the menu. Anyway, most children will - at some point for another - go through an adventurous phase. It's, of course, more likely - if it's not pushed on them.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Jul 27, 2011 10:45:35 GMT -5
I completely agree with that. I know some people really don't like that trend, but I really think these people should also mind their own businesses. Of course, I could also say the same thing of those who flame other people for liking music that they don't like. I don't think it's a bad trend, and it's certainly more appealing than others I've seen. Yeah, if a person doesn't like a particular trend, then the best thing to do is to just ignore it. The people indulging in trends aren't hurting anyone, after all, and so there's no reason for others to criticize them. And you're right that the people doing the criticizing aren't any different than those attacking others for liking different music. I absolutely agree with you that parents shouldn't make a big deal if their children prefer to order the same thing whenever the family goes out to eat. Since dining at a restaurant isn't a frequent occurrence for many families, there isn't any harm in a child ordering the same thing every time. Just as long as the meal isn't outrageously expensive, as you've pointed out. I was one of those kids, TBH, and my mom never cared. I was - and still am - very picky about my food, so I never experienced the adventurous phase, sadly.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Jul 27, 2011 11:58:45 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think I would get along very well with Hector. I, too, am quite picky with my food. The nice thing about being an adult is that I no longer have people trying to dictate what I should eat.
Even though I figured that the Quagmires and Baudelaires will insist their children try something new - because, after all, you won't know if you like it or not unless you try it - I think liver would be the one exception to the rule. I guess I'm sort of biased, but even just the smell of liver makes me gag. There are other ways that children can get their iron.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Jul 27, 2011 18:58:03 GMT -5
Yeah, I don't think I would get along very well with Hector. I, too, am quite picky with my food. The nice thing about being an adult is that I no longer have people trying to dictate what I should eat. It's nice to know another person who's picky about their food. It's funny, as well, that you should mention your inability to get along with Hector. I always think that, if he was a real person and we met, I would offend him by not liking his chicken enchiladas. I am not a fan of chicken, to the point where I don't even like to handle it. The only times I'll eat it is when it's fried, in nugget form, or part of canned chicken noodle soup. Not exactly the healthiest ways to eat chicken, but whatever. ;D Every time my mom serves regular chicken for dinner, I always end up having something else instead. Yeah, I definitely agree that the Quagmires and Baudelaires would see to it that their children try something at least once. While liverwurst is my preferred sandwich meat, I would never eat it in any other form. It's just one of those things you know you'd loathe without even tasting it first - like anchovies. Blegh.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Jul 27, 2011 23:22:55 GMT -5
I don't think the Baudelaires and Quagmires will necessarily cook up a substitute whenever they decide to cook something that one of their children don't like, but they will always try to cook one thing that they know each child likes. I don't see them being the "eat everything that is being served" kind of parents. If one of the children wants to eat only bread and jam, let them. They'll get sick of it, sooner or later, anyway. It also doesn't hurt to try tempting them with else you know that they usually like.
Okay, back to the topic of swearing, what do you think of the idea of letting children listen to songs with swear words in it? I think one of the reasons why I shied away from modern rock for so long, is because swearing is much more common in modern rock songs - than they are in classic rock songs. I think songs that promote racism, sexism, or any other type of hatred are far more offensive than songs that use the F-word. One concern, of course, would be not wanting children to sing songs with swear words out on the school playground. You could maybe come up with substitute words to sing, if they really do like the songs a lot. Chances are, they like the songs more for the melody than for the lyrics.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Jul 28, 2011 14:29:41 GMT -5
I don't think the Baudelaires and Quagmires will necessarily cook up a substitute whenever they decide to cook something that one of their children don't like, but they will always try to cook one thing that they know each child likes. I don't see them being the "eat everything that is being served" kind of parents. If one of the children wants to eat only bread and jam, let them. They'll get sick of it, sooner or later, anyway. Yes, I agree that the Baudelaires and Quagmires would plan their family meals according to what everyone likes. It would certainly save time in preparation - as well as dish-washing liquid! No, I don't see them forcing their kids to eat everything on their plate, either. More like have them try it, or eat a little bit. Even if they only want to eat bread and jam, at least they're eating something. And you're right that they'll lose their appetite for it, eventually. Exactly. There are so many nutritious foods out there that children like. Parents just need to pay attention to what their kids prefer and experiment with new foods now and then. I think it's perfectly fine to allow children to listen to music that contains swearing. And I've noticed that, too, when it comes to classic rock versus modern rock. You're absolutely right that songs that encourage any type of racism, sexism, or hatred (I steer clear of anything that encourages such twisted sickness) come across as much more insulting than the simple F-word. I think that, just as long as kids know that it isn't socially acceptable to repeat the words they hear in songs, then there's no reason why they shouldn't be aloud to listen to songs with swearing. Finding alternate words for when they want to sing the song or songs on the playground is always a brilliant plan. And yes: many children, as well as adults, often like the melody more than the actual song. For me, it's a combination of the two together.
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Post by Seymour Glass on Aug 1, 2011 0:38:17 GMT -5
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Post by Seymour Glass on Aug 6, 2011 19:59:05 GMT -5
Being a teenager has got to be the worst thing in the world. They're expected to act like adults, but they get treated like children.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Aug 11, 2011 6:38:53 GMT -5
Yeah, I completely agree. And I love the article that you linked to. I think it's good.
I also don't see the Baudelaires or Quagmires restricting their children to reading or watching things that are marketed towards people younger than them. To me, that's really no better than restricting your children from listening to classic rock - just because it's marketed towards older people.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 14, 2011 11:15:40 GMT -5
Great article, freebird! Thank you for finding and sharing it. There were a lot of parts that made me think of Jerome and Maxwell. For example, the "Don't Demand Perfection From Your Children".
I agree that the Baudelaires and Quagmires wouldn't care if their children read or watched things intended for a younger generation. I remember being twenty-five and watching episodes of LazyTown. And you're right that this type of dissuasion isn't much different than that performed by parents who don't want their children listening to classic rock. Though I don't see why adults would worry much about that, considering what the lyrics contained in some of today's music are like.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Aug 14, 2011 17:50:27 GMT -5
While, for the most part, I do see the Baudelaires and Quagmires as being on the lenient side of parenting - I think the one thing they would not tolerate is their children bullying other people. This is the one area where I can see them issuing relatively harsh consequences. Not too harsh to the point of being abusive - but I can see them maybe taking away their children's radios, computers, and what-have-you for a week or so. I think that, especially taking away their children's radios, is something they would only do in extreme cases - such as bullying.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 16, 2011 10:29:46 GMT -5
Oh, yes. I definitely see the Baudelaires and Quagmires refusing to tolerate their children's behavior if it turned out they were bullying someone. While I believe their reaction would be the same in any case, I think the fact that they were victims themselves would make them that much more determined to see that their children didn't take after Carmelita Spats or even Nero.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Aug 16, 2011 10:39:55 GMT -5
Good points. I think, if they had a problem with their children being bullied - they would take it up with the principal, the school councillor, and the school board. If they people in charge refuse to take action, then they would pull their children out of the school - and look at other options. As such, they definitely would not send their children to a school like Prufrock Prep - where Vice Principal Nero seemed to condone, if not actively encourage, bullies to pick on people who are different.
If they saw their children teasing someone - I think they would just pull their children aside, explain why what are doing is hurtful, and then make them apologize. If the children behaviour escalated to repeated teasing of others, or bullies - than stricter methods would be taken.
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Post by Very Funky Disco on Aug 19, 2011 13:41:51 GMT -5
How far do you think is too far, as far as letting children break gender norms go? Do you think there is even such a thing as "too far"?
From what I'm observed, here's what the current social attitudes seem to be:
Letting boys play with dolls and/or other "girl" toys? It's actually fairly common, now - but not without objection from a sizable vocal minority.
Letting boys wear pink? Probably slightly more controversial than letting boys play with "girl" toys. Some might say it's all right for them to wear pink at home, but not in public - because of negative public reaction.
Letting boys wear skirts/dresses? Now, this one is still widely seen as being the big taboo. Even many people who are otherwise socially progressive may have misgivings on this.
Where there are still some people in this day and age who are opposed to females doing traditionally male things - in general, females do quite seem to have more leeway in how they can express themselves than males do.
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Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Aug 19, 2011 14:31:09 GMT -5
I've always been a firm believer in self expression, whether it be letting boys wear dresses/skirts, or girls dressing in boys' clothes. One thing that really irks me is how, if a girl dresses like a boy, it isn't a big deal, but if a boy dresses like a girl, people are all over him with their teasing and criticizing. I had a guy friend in high school who was really into Sailor Moon, enough so that he wore the t-shirts. Even though he never took it personally, people teased him, just for his interests and the fact that he was feminine. I admired him so much, because he knew exactly how to handle the treatment and responses of those whose intent it was to act stupid.
The only time I would see cause for alarm is if my son was physically assaulted for dressing like a girl. I feel it is so important to give children the freedom of self-expression, and it would break my heart to tell my son that he would have to alter who he was just because of other people's negative views. I would be fine with him wearing girls' clothes in public, as long as I was there to watch him and make sure he was safe. But if I sent him off to school or a place where the supervision wasn't on him a hundred percent of the time, I'd undoubtedly spend the entire day worrying until he got home. If the incident had occurred at school, the first thing I'd do was go straight to the principal and explain the situation. If the principal was no help, then I'd take my complaints to the school board. If that didn't work, then I'd have no choice but to home-school my child. I'd do anything to avoid having them think it's not okay to be themselves, simply because of other people's narrow-mindedness.
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