Lying to Children

[Buddy]

A lot of people seem to think the santa/tooth fairy thing is so harmless, but why is lying to children okay?

Won't they be fine living their lives without being lied to?

We should stop thinking it's alright to make things up and hold them as reality. A child is a lot smarter than we think, just with a slightly less ability to perceive logic and reason. I really don't think that not having santa and other childhood lies in one's life will someone lessen the magical innocence of a childhood. I would of respected my parents far far more if they had not lied to me. My mother did the whole santa thing, but my father was totally against it. I appreciate that much from him.

There is more of a gap between children's cognitive development and those of adults than you imply. Telling lies to children may often be a good idea to insulate them fom realities that they are not equipped to deal with.
Honesty tends anyway to be rather over- rated and too often is used as a justification by people who  lack social intelligence or just want to inflict hurt on others.

What would you use as an example of telling a beneficial lie to a child?

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

[Asmodean]

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

...To be turned into sausage. The kid would be scarred for life. 

[Asmodean]

(like Asmo, for example)

The Asmo can appreciate some nicely done abstract art. 

[Sweetdeath]

A lot of people seem to think the santa/tooth fairy thing is so harmless, but why is lying to children okay?

Won't they be fine living their lives without being lied to?

We should stop thinking it's alright to make things up and hold them as reality. A child is a lot smarter than we think, just with a slightly less ability to perceive logic and reason. I really don't think that not having santa and other childhood lies in one's life will someone lessen the magical innocence of a childhood. I would of respected my parents far far more if they had not lied to me. My mother did the whole santa thing, but my father was totally against it. I appreciate that much from him.

There is more of a gap between children's cognitive development and those of adults than you imply. Telling lies to children may often be a good idea to insulate them fom realities that they are not equipped to deal with.
Honesty tends anyway to be rather over- rated and too often is used as a justification by people who  lack social intelligence or just want to inflict hurt on others.

What would you use as an example of telling a beneficial lie to a child?

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

Yeah, that's aweful. Kid should learn what death is sooner or later.

[En_Route]

I guess that easy, lol. Already thought of another - "Sweetie, daddy and I were just playing wheelbarrow . . . "

So we have lies to encourage and to protect . . . should there always be a reason to lie? Is entertainment enough?

There's nothing wrong with explaining sex to people. I guess some people feel embarrassed. I never knew why. Sex is natural with consent.

There's nothing *wrong* with it, but maybe it's better to tell a three year old that mommy and daddy were wrestling and avoid a midnight sex-ed class with a toddler who won't really understand the concept anyways.

Not entirely convinced this is the most reassuring of explanations. What about saying mummy and daddy were practising their farmyard imitations?

[Ali]

I guess that easy, lol. Already thought of another - "Sweetie, daddy and I were just playing wheelbarrow . . . "

So we have lies to encourage and to protect . . . should there always be a reason to lie? Is entertainment enough?

There's nothing wrong with explaining sex to people. I guess some people feel embarrassed. I never knew why. Sex is natural with consent.

There's nothing *wrong* with it, but maybe it's better to tell a three year old that mommy and daddy were wrestling and avoid a midnight sex-ed class with a toddler who won't really understand the concept anyways.

Not entirely convinced this is the most reassuring of explanations. What about saying mummy and daddy were practising their farmyard imitations?

Hahahahahaha.  "Don't worry, honey.  Daddy is just pinning mommy down and doing something violent to her.  No sex here!"

[OldGit]

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

IRL my father did that to me when I was about 8.  I didn't believe the bastard, I knew damn well he took my Toby off somewhere and shot him.  I never really forgot it.

[Ali]

Why would he shoot Toby?

[Asmodean]

Why would he shoot Toby?

Euthanasia suspected

[DeterminedJuliet]

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

IRL my father did that to me when I was about 8.  I didn't believe the bastard, I knew damn well he took my Toby off somewhere and shot him.  I never really forgot it.

When we have to put either one of our cats down, wee man will be told what's going to happen and will be given the option of coming along. When I worked at the vet clinic, I saw a number of children say good-bye to their pets. Some of them handled it better than their parents. Our oldest cat is only 6, so it'll be a while yet, but I wouldn't lie to him about this either, I don't think.

[Sweetdeath]

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

IRL my father did that to me when I was about 8.  I didn't believe the bastard, I knew damn well he took my Toby off somewhere and shot him.  I never really forgot it.

When we have to put either one of our cats down, wee man will be told what's going to happen and will be given the option of coming along. When I worked at the vet clinic, I saw a number of children say good-bye to their pets. Some of them handled it better than their parents. Our oldest cat is only 6, so it'll be a while yet, but I wouldn't lie to him about this either, I don't think.

I know children are children, but they should be taken a bit more seriously with their feelings and not 'shielded' so much from reality.
Don't get me wrong, i don't think we should shove everything horrible in their face, but i lost a lot of pets as a child, and i am thankful my mom always let me know they were dying or sick so i could say goodbye.

I miss them all dearly, but i am sooo happy i got to have that closure.

[OldGit]

Why would he shoot Toby?

Stated reason: the dog was out of control and kept running into the road and might involve us in a lawsuit.

Real reason: to hurt me, as usual.

The dog was young and healthy.

[Asmodean]

Real reason: to hurt me, as usual.

Has FSM refused to hear your pleas for vengeance? Because The Asmo could listen... For a price 

[Buddy]

That you're sending their dog to a "farm."

IRL my father did that to me when I was about 8.  I didn't believe the bastard, I knew damn well he took my Toby off somewhere and shot him.  I never really forgot it.

Same with my brother's dog Angus. He was mean though. Still hurts because I believed that he went to a farm until I found out what it really meant a few weeks ago. ;-;

[OldGit]

Has FSM refused to hear your pleas for vengeance? Because The Asmo could listen... For a price 

How much?