At what age do I ?

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I've been thinking about this for about a year now. At what age do I start teaching my son about politics , the corruption and how never to fall prey to it? There are several very intelligent members here and I really would appreciate hearing from anybody that cares to express an opinion. Certainly can be no wrong answers as one's opinion is just that an opinion... My wife now has me holding off for another year to teach him about guns and gun safety along with his first time shooting a real gun. In my childhood at his age now I had probably shot at least 4 different guns and a couple hundred rounds of ammo. My big worry on this is, am I waiting too late to do things because of undue influence from my wife(a woman)? I do not knock women but some things are of a man's domain especially where a son is concerned. And because of my age and health concerns I worry waiting may mean I pass on before doing my responsibility as his dad. I merely hinted at reversing my decision on the shooting gun decision and my wife didn't speak to me all that day. I had not given my word on the decision as I never break my word but had nodded ok when my wife asked me to wait another year on it.. Also would appreciate hearing from the brilliant ladies on this too. This forum is blessed with several I admire and know to be solid and well informed!! And note-- that includes you too gabby. Our differing political views aside , I think your are quite intelligent so chime in if you care to . So I guess it's really two questions one on teaching about politics the other on teaching about guns. Justin will be 7 in December.. TIA.. --Tyr.

[jimnyc]

It's never too early, IMO, so long as you're not being a hack to the kid! Teach him the ins and outs and the truth - because the school system certainly won't be doing that. It's going to be normal for you to lean towards the right when teaching him, and that's OK, but I wouldn't push too far in any one direction. Teach him the TRUTH and the FACTS and he'll come along just fine. Jordan started learning about politics right around that same age. It would be unlikely for either of them to really jump into things at that age, but a basic understanding will lay a foundation for their future learning so that hopefully they won't be brainwashed by the system.

[WiccanLiberal]

I think the only major consideration is what the kid is ready for. Right now I wish I had gotten a good education with firearms at a young age. As for politics, perhaps try doing his homework or watching the news with him and ask him what he thinks about current events. Challenging him to reason will do more to develop a good sense of the truth than anything else.

[glockmail]

I started talking politics with my son while driving, listening to talk radio. As I recall he was 12 or 13. Glen Beck was on the radio then fairly small time and he had a segment called "bitch or bag", and he'd name a prominent female politician and ask the audience for their one word answer and then explain their reasoning. When he asked "Hillary Clinton" I couldn't help bursting out my answer. He thought it was hilarous and from then on we've been talking politics.

In high school I taught him how to look up his teacher's political affiliation on the state website. That gave him an inkling on where they ere coming from, especially social studies and history.

Regards to guns, I bought him a Daisy rifle when he was about 8 and showed him how to use it safely. When he turned 10 I bought him his first firearm, a Ruger .22 target. We talked extensively and I made him sign a safety statement, and put both in the safe. A few days later we went to the local range and I taught him how to shoot it. When he graduated high school I gave him his first rifle, a Remington 700 short, and when he turned 21, a Glock 23 Gen 4. He still uses the same safety protocols that I taught him when he was 8.

[tailfins]

He's already ready already! Just use ideas he can understand. Ask him what he thinks about kids that steal his toys.

[fj1200]

I've been thinking about this for about a year now. At what age do I start teaching my son about politics...

So I'm reading the Three Little Pigs to my daughter, age 3, and explain how our three protagonists are trying to make their own way in the world by establishing their homesteads. As fate would have it the antagonist shows up and decides that he should have the rights to inspect their work to ensure that they haven't constructed an abode that is a harm to themselves or any visitors that may happen along. After destroying the entirety of the life's work for two of the three main characters he continues on to the home of the third and attempts to carry on with his testing. After the structure satisfied the initial tests the wolf insists upon an internal inspection to ensure the safety of any women and children. After it is explained to him that he clearly overstepped the bounds of his authority he is escorted away and is not heard from again.

I'm not sure that my daughter picked up on the moral of the story that if you allow your siblings to engage in shoddy workmanship that is not up to code then she will have to let them live with her when the greedy, invasive wolf decides that they are incapable of making their own decisions.

[aboutime]

I've been thinking about this for about a year now. At what age do I start teaching my son about politics , the corruption and how never to fall prey to it? There are several very intelligent members here and I really would appreciate hearing from anybody that cares to express an opinion. Certainly can be no wrong answers as one's opinion is just that an opinion... My wife now has me holding off for another year to teach him about guns and gun safety along with his first time shooting a real gun. In my childhood at his age now I had probably shot at least 4 different guns and a couple hundred rounds of ammo. My big worry on this is, am I waiting too late to do things because of undue influence from my wife(a woman)? I do not knock women but some things are of a man's domain especially where a son is concerned. And because of my age and health concerns I worry waiting may mean I pass on before doing my responsibility as his dad. I merely hinted at reversing my decision on the shooting gun decision and my wife didn't speak to me all that day. I had not given my word on the decision as I never break my word but had nodded ok when my wife asked me to wait another year on it.. Also would appreciate hearing from the brilliant ladies on this too. This forum is blessed with several I admire and know to be solid and well informed!! And note-- that includes you too gabby. Our differing political views aside , I think your are quite intelligent so chime in if you care to . So I guess it's really two questions one on teaching about politics the other on teaching about guns. Justin will be 7 in December.. TIA.. --Tyr.



Tyr. Give him time to be a little boy, and discover the World in his imagination first.
We all know our children seem to grow too fast as it is. Let them enjoy being young, and not
being bogged down with all the crap WE go through.
On the other hand. I suspect you have been silently showing him what he can look forward to, and all without sitting him down to talk about it.
When he wants to know things. It's better that he comes to you to ask...and you should always be ready to TELL HIM THE TRUTH about Everything.
Kids have ways of determining WHO they can trust. I'm sure you already know that.
But..if they catch you in a lie, or fabricating stuff. THEY NEVER FORGET, and you may lose that Trust forever.
You sound like a Great Dad. So, I do believe you won't have any trouble. There's no time that's perfect, or good to schedule when it comes to sharing your Love with your children. It somehow, always works out. Before you know it. He'll be telling you things you aren't expecting.
ENJOY IT. Life's too short. And Childhood Doesn't last long enough.

[Arbo]

I've been thinking about this for about a year now. At what age do I start teaching my son about politics ,

They are never to young to start the indoctrination process. At least be honest, that's what you will be doing.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

Thanks guys and girls. All pretty good information and gives me more to consider. I guess giving it a few more weeks to decide is ok.. Tonight I took some of my guns out --all unloaded of course and let Justin look at them . Then I locked them back up. Told him in a few years he may be able to post here on the political boards and his first question was, are there other kids there? I told him yes and --yesssssssss-- :laugh: ;) :laugh:--Tyr

[gabosaurus]

Right after you teach your kid about sex. Although sex is a bit cleaner.

My parents never discussed politics with me. But they allowed me to read the paper and watch the 7 pm news. They allowed me to formulate my own opinions. If I ever asked my dad a political-themed question, his answer was usually "what do you think about it?"
I think this was a response to my grandfather ranting and raving all the time about who was destroying the country and what needed to be done. In true 60's youthful response, my dad embraced the counter culture and became a hippie.

I have never mentioned politics to my daughter. She is not the least bit interested. Then again, most 12 year old girls could care less. I almost wish she would become totally apolitical, like my sister. Politics are too divisive and hateful. Radical liberals and conservatives have become like street gangs, looking to destroy each other in increasingly hateful ways.

My husband was never introduced to guns while growing up. His father was a hard line Republican. He believed in the right to own and use guns. But he also embraced the choice not to own one. Which he didn't. My husband was never allowed to own toy guns or play with military action figures. I believe his dad wanted to shield him from violence which was prevalent when we were growing up.

Your kid, your decision. But don't make your kid so enthusiastic about firearms that he is curious about using one. This is how accidents happen.

[Kathianne]

I don't think 'politics' should be taught at this age. I do think this is the ideal age though to speak of heroes. George Washington comes to mind. Born to wealthy family, lost his father young and wasn't first born. Had a good brother though, the one that inherited.

Alexander Hamilton, born of a mistress, but so very smart. Sent to colonies for education and became a founder. While he couldn't be president, he influenced the founding government in ways that are immeasurable.

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sam and John Adams, etc.

Speak to morals, is it ok that children starve because of parents they were born to? What is 'fairness?'

There are lots of ways to approach the discussion, without ever being political.

[Abbey Marie]

I don't think 'politics' should be taught at this age. I do think this is the ideal age though to speak of heroes. George Washington comes to mind. Born to wealthy family, lost his father young and wasn't first born. Had a good brother though, the one that inherited.

Alexander Hamilton, born of a mistress, but so very smart. Sent to colonies for education and became a founder. While he couldn't be president, he influenced the founding government in ways that are immeasurable.

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sam and John Adams, etc.

Speak to morals, is it ok that children starve because of parents they were born to? What is 'fairness?'

There are lots of ways to approach the discussion, without ever being political.

Tyr, above is your best response.

I would only add that when things come up in his young life that can be deemed "political", like the way a teacher speaks about certain subjects in class, or if one group he knows is favored over another, you can gently make a relevant lesson out of it. Anything else might be too much for his age.

As for shooting guns, we women tend to be very protective of our young. Your wife is just going on instinct there. If it was my child, I would say he is too young. He will know your values soon enough on the subject without shooting guns himself.

[tailfins]

I have never mentioned politics to my daughter. She is not the least bit interested. Then again, most 12 year old girls could care less.

So that means they care more; OK, got it! My oldest son understands politics all too well. He understands that studying Math above his grade level is too much trouble for his union teachers, so he just studies ahead at home in spite of needing to do idiot work in class. We will move to a state that has online school next year even if it means a longer commute to work.

[gabosaurus]

I don't think 'politics' should be taught at this age. I do think this is the ideal age though to speak of heroes. George Washington comes to mind. Born to wealthy family, lost his father young and wasn't first born. Had a good brother though, the one that inherited.

Alexander Hamilton, born of a mistress, but so very smart. Sent to colonies for education and became a founder. While he couldn't be president, he influenced the founding government in ways that are immeasurable.

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sam and John Adams, etc.

Speak to morals, is it ok that children starve because of parents they were born to? What is 'fairness?'

There are lots of ways to approach the discussion, without ever being political.

Quite excellent response. I speak of moral values and discipline. All kids want discipline and guidance. Even when they complain about them. That is why so many kids from one- and no-parent families, or families with negligent parents, join street gangs. With structure and a rigid hierarchy, street gangs become surrogate families. Criminal families for the most part, but families just the same.
I see way too many parents who want to be "friends" with their kids. They want to be "cool moms" and "Disney dads." Let you kids find friends on their own. At home, they need parents.

[glockmail]

Quite excellent response. I speak of moral values and discipline. All kids want discipline and guidance. Even when they complain about them. That is why so many kids from one- and no-parent families, or families with negligent parents, join street gangs. With structure and a rigid hierarchy, street gangs become surrogate families. Criminal families for the most part, but families just the same.
I see way too many parents who want to be "friends" with their kids. They want to be "cool moms" and "Disney dads." Let you kids find friends on their own. At home, they need parents.

Hilarious. Yet liberal social and fiscal policies are the cause of the decline of the American family. :laugh:

[Arbo]

Hilarious. Yet liberal social and fiscal policies are the cause of the decline of the American family. :laugh:

Not sure what this has to do with anything she said, but since you have decided to go there. It is not a right or left issue, it is a parent issue. I have seen good and bad parents all across the political spectrum. Even though some here probably believe such insanity, how the kid turns out and the sort of life they lead, generally doesn't have much to do with their parents political lean.

One very important thing is to never underestimate what a kid knows or understands. I stayed away from taking about anything political as my kids grew up, but if something came up I made sure they were taught to look at both sides, to determine for themselves what the right answer was. What so and so says may sound good, but always look from other angles and always do your own research as people will tell you what they want you to believe, which often is lacking in the area of reality.

Many many years ago, when taking my kids somewhere, my daughter started going on about how since apples grow on trees, they should be free. I said nothing. My son however had a discussion with her and you could see him formulating in his head as he spoke. He started off with a 'that would be nice' and ended with a 'if they are free, who is going to pick them for everyone? I don't want to spend all day picking apples for free.' It was cool to watch him start at one place, dig deeper in thought about it, and use logic and reason to get to a conclusion. And of course such self taught lessons do apply to politics and have lead him down the road of beliefs he is currently on.

[glockmail]

No, it's a political issue all right. There have always been bad parents and there always will be, but liberal culture and liberal political policy are the largest contributors to the decline of the traditional two parent family that is best for raising kids.

The worship of "Hollywood" culture with its disposable relationships has cause more disposable relationships among the worshipers themselves. GovCo subsidies of single parents has (surprise!) caused more women to be single parents. Modern culture looks on fatherhood as irrelevant so we have lees men being fathers.

Heck, most liberals won't even acknowledge that a traditional two parent family is the best way to raise kids.

[Arbo]

No, it's a political issue all right.

Only in that you want to make it one.

[glockmail]

Only because it's fact. :laugh:

[Arbo]

Only because it's fact. :laugh:

When you define fact as: the faculty or activity of imagining things, esp. things that are impossible or improbable.

If you grow up, and decide to get married and raise a family, nobody is stopping you. If you grow up and decide you don't need to be married and prefer not to because the government will give you more if you pop out some kids alone, well, then you are a waste of a human being. Either way, it comes down to personal decisions and one's values and ethics. No policy, be it left or right wing, can change that.

[glockmail]

It is a fact because human behavior is predictable as theory, and the statistics prove the theory. This is called "the scientific method". :laugh:

[Arbo]

It is a fact because human behavior is predictable as theory, and the statistics prove the theory. This is called "the scientific method". :laugh:

Again you are all over the map. When you can decide on a point and stick to it, let us know.

[Abbey Marie]

When you define fact as: the faculty or activity of imagining things, esp. things that are impossible or improbable.

If you grow up, and decide to get married and raise a family, nobody is stopping you. If you grow up and decide you don't need to be married and prefer not to because the government will give you more if you pop out some kids alone, well, then you are a waste of a human being. Either way, it comes down to personal decisions and one's values and ethics. No policy, be it left or right wing, can change that.

Actually, the very policy you mentioned, that enables people to have kids they cannot otherwise afford, has changed that to everyone's detriment.

[Abbey Marie]

Quite excellent response. I speak of moral values and discipline. All kids want discipline and guidance. Even when they complain about them. That is why so many kids from one- and no-parent families, or families with negligent parents, join street gangs. With structure and a rigid hierarchy, street gangs become surrogate families. Criminal families for the most part, but families just the same.
I see way too many parents who want to be "friends" with their kids. They want to be "cool moms" and "Disney dads." Let you kids find friends on their own. At home, they need parents.

People also, from their very core, need someone to worship. Of Palm Sunday, Jesus said if the people did not gather to laud him, the very rocks would have cried out. When you take away God, you are left with the likes of sports figures and entertainers. And we can see where that has gotten us.

[glockmail]

Again you are all over the map. When you can decide on a point and stick to it, let us know.

When you decide that you can have a logical discussion with facts and reasoning, let us know. :laugh:

[Arbo]

Actually, the very policy you mentioned, that enables people to have kids they cannot otherwise afford, has changed that to everyone's detriment.

Because a program exists does not mean one needs to use it. The majority of Americans do not use it. Could it be they were raised in a manner where they learned to head down such a path was the wrong way to go?


When you decide that you can have a logical discussion with facts and reasoning, let us know.

You really are just as dumb and worthless as the handful of trolls that live around here.

[glockmail]

I see that I've forced you into attempting a tactic that never works in a debate requiring thinking beyond the 6th grade level: name calling. :laugh:

[Arbo]

I see that I've forced you into attempting a tactic that never works in a debate requiring thinking beyond the 6th grade level: name calling. :laugh:

That you can not differentiate between 'names' and characteristics proves my point. Thanks. Now how about if you want to continue to bicker you take it to the cage and quit f'in up other threads?

[glockmail]

That you can not differentiate between 'names' and characteristics proves my point. Thanks. Now how about if you want to continue to bicker you take it to the cage and quit f'in up other threads? I never expected you to man-up to name calling. Now you want to "take it to the cage"? So you can do what, display more childishness?

You remind me of my nephew, who resorts to fits of violence when I destroy his political arguments.

All this because your arguments have been destroyed. :laugh:

[NightTrain]

As far as political discussions go, I've never tried to deliberately shape how my kids think - they already know what I think by listening to my conversations with my friends & family, which I think is more than adequate. I'll only explain why I think the way I do on a political subject if they ask me.

As far as firearms go, as soon as they wanted to fire a weapon, I sat down with them and went over firearm safety thoroughly and painstakingly. Kids will be kids and they need to understand there is never a moment when safety is not in mind when handling them.

Then, with my help, I let them shoot a pellet rifle that I have. Not a little one, this one cracks like a .22 - it's a Mauser that lays them out there at 1200 FPS, which is .22 territory. This is to get them used to the sound, and it's a single shot break-barrel.

After a year of shooting that, if they're handling the air rifle properly, they graduate to a Ruger 10/22, .410 shotgun, and after that, pistol training when they show they're ready for it.

Naturally, all of the boys wanted to shoot my .375 right away, but that doesn't happen until 14 or so - it really kicks like a mule, worse than a .338 mag. My oldest boy finally got to shoot it and it bruised his arm something fierce - and now he knows about proper butt placement on the shoulder. My daughter was smarter than the boys and has never asked to shoot the .375.

Since they've all been around firearms from an early age, they're all up to speed with the care and handling of firearms - and what they're capable of.

Most importantly, they will immediately spot someone handling a firearm carelessly or recklessly and will get away from the area - such as a kid that is showing off with his Dad's rifle or pistol at their home after school, which happens more often than people think.

[Trinity]

my 3rd in command (17 year old) or so he thinks....discovered politics right after 9/11 he was 5 years old. He just happened to be home that day and watched it all play out on TV. Yes he asked questions, and yes I answered those questions in a factual manner that was at his level of understanding. From that point on we started occasionally having discussions about numerous political topics, but not in the same manner as adults would. He would ask questions about things he had heard or seen on TV involving the war, elections, etc.. And I did with him then what I still do to this day, we go online and we start researching and looking for facts. Opinions are irrelevant and he will be the first one to say "uh yeah you got some facts to back that up." This kid should really go to law school.

By the age of 7 he was exactly like he is today....he calls it as he sees it, and if it's bulls^%t.....well let's just say I hope you have your facts straight cause he will straight up call you out on it.

Now my 15 year old computer nerd (takes after his momma) had no interest in politics until here recently.....so politics were never discussed until recently.

Bottom line it depends on each individual child, if he is showing an interest by all means discuss the facts, age appropriate of course. But discuss and research together. Let him come to his own conclusions.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I don't think 'politics' should be taught at this age. I do think this is the ideal age though to speak of heroes. George Washington comes to mind. Born to wealthy family, lost his father young and wasn't first born. Had a good brother though, the one that inherited.

Alexander Hamilton, born of a mistress, but so very smart. Sent to colonies for education and became a founder. While he couldn't be president, he influenced the founding government in ways that are immeasurable.

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Sam and John Adams, etc.

Speak to morals, is it ok that children starve because of parents they were born to? What is 'fairness?'

There are lots of ways to approach the discussion, without ever being political. Thanks, many have given very good advice and because of that I've decided to wait another year on the gun training and play it very slow on the politics teaching as well. I see that this also brought up several other issues that are good to discuss. We all should strive to be better parents and realize that none of us are perfect or even close to it. I try my best to always do the best for my children and where I may fail I pray to God to help make up... --Tyr

[hjmick]

I'll tell ya Tyr...

And maybe it's a generational thing, I will be 49 in a couple of weeks, but...

My parents never talked to me or taught me about politics. They never tried to influence my views, they never tried to make me believe as they do and did. They let me find my own way, much to my liberal mom's despair... She still talks to me, don't worry... I appreciate that they took a hands off approach to me political education. So much so that I raised my kids in much the same fashion with regard to politics. I answered their questions but never attempted to influence their politics in any way.

[Tyr-Ziu Saxnot]

I'll tell ya Tyr...

And maybe it's a generational thing, I will be 49 in a couple of weeks, but...

My parents never talked to me or taught me about politics. They never tried to influence my views, they never tried to make me believe as they do and did. They let me find my own way, much to my liberal mom's despair... She still talks to me, don't worry... I appreciate that they took a hands off approach to me political education. So much so that I raised my kids in much the same fashion with regard to politics. I answered their questions but never attempted to influence their politics in any way. wow, 49!!!! Had no clue you were that young! I thought judging rom your posts that you were likely around my age... be 60 this coming March.. I'd say in your case your parents did very well. My son has a lot of his mom in him and I am fairly sure he will need at least a general foundation laid to set him on the right path. That I did for my daughter until she was about 13 and then I talked adult like about politics with her . She is now 25 and has told me that worked well for her but Justin being a boy I thought that just maybe he would need a different method to be exercised. His character being so much different than was my daughter. By the way , I taught her to shoot at an early age and as an adult she has told me she is very glad that I did! She is conservative thru and thru wheras her mom had a liberal streak in her which KK rightly rejected when she got older.. Not by any demands I made of her but did so on her own! That's why I am so proud of her.. That girl has her head on straight. -Tyr

[Kathianne]

I'll tell ya Tyr...

And maybe it's a generational thing, I will be 49 in a couple of weeks, but...

My parents never talked to me or taught me about politics. They never tried to influence my views, they never tried to make me believe as they do and did. They let me find my own way, much to my liberal mom's despair... She still talks to me, don't worry... I appreciate that they took a hands off approach to me political education. So much so that I raised my kids in much the same fashion with regard to politics. I answered their questions but never attempted to influence their politics in any way.

My parents didn't try to directly influence my brother or I regarding politics, however both had strong opinions, my mother strongest. They discussed issues at the dinner table and at breakfast. Several members of my family were in politics, Rosemary Woods by marriage. First Mayor Daley's personal secretary was my mom's first cousin.

My parents were involved in Civil Rights and JFK's run for presidency.

While they never lost their belief in civil rights, they were disgusted with 'War on Poverty,' as it led to loss of fathers; and quotas. Both were strong backers of women's rights, but not 'pro-abortion.'

We grew up with having Mike Royko, Irv Kupcinet, Evans & Novak read to us when one of my parents were reading and we happened to walk by. LOL! "Sit down and listen to this..." Consequently we found things to read to them, sometimes rushing to get the papers before they did. By the time I was in 7th grade, we had 5 daily newspapers, 3 weekend papers, and 3 news magazines delivered.

BTW, my mom would also read up Peg Braken, later Dave Barry, my dad read sports to my brother-I wouldn't listen.

Interestingly enough, my parents became more conservative by the late 1960's though both were against the Vietnam War.