Friday, December 26, 2008
Maybe Santa shops at Wal-Mart too
Ah, the Santa Claus dilemma.
On one hand, I've long thought it questionable to start your kids off by tricking them for years. When the deception is finally uncovered, the result may be a bunch of disillusioned children wondering what other false claims have been made by the elders who run things. The lie alone might be resented, but on top of that the fact that it's a method of behavior control makes parental motivation suspect. "Be good or Santa won't bring you presents"? If you have to bribe Junior with toys, video games, and a coal-free stocking to keep him from slapping his baby brother and setting fire to the carpet... maybe there's a better approach than a fairy tale that will inevitably be revealed as a sham.
On the other hand, I do see the benefits. Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and the Native American who's happy about Thanksgiving... these give children something fantastic to believe in and get excited about. Most people I know seem to agree that the thrill of Christmas--making a wish list, and anticipating, opening, and using your new toys--has pretty much vanished by the time you're a legal adult. We still appreciate different aspects of it, such as the aesthetics and the traditions, but our awareness of the truth spoils a lot of the fun. It'd be a shame for children to be denied that magic and wonder. The bliss of ignorance is part of being a kid, and rightly so.
And then, when the time comes, they will be taught not to believe everything they're told. No matter who said it. That's part of preparing for responsible adulthood.
But, as touched on in this strip, if you're gonna be sneaky with your young ones... try to be smart about it.
Domestic violence is not funny and not cool. Unless you're a cartoon, in which case it's a laugh riot.
