[DoulaLC]

They all have their slant... people tend to gravitate to whichever news organization "speaks" to them; that they feel aligns most with their way of thinking.

Partake in a cross-section of media outlets, both nationally and internationally, and you will see biases abound.

It is left up to the individual to do their own research on various topics to obtain the complete story much of the time.

[Catsmine]

To add my two cents:

Yesterday (or maybe the day before) my 17-year old complained that I had "ruined" pornography for her because we didn't turn it off when she came into the room as a 3-5 year old. She now finds it boring. I could only think "my work is done."

If teaching little kids civics does the same thing, I agree that's not good. But perusing the texts and syllabi of my daughter's high school curriculum, I don't find any civics at all, so when should she have learned how her country works?

[NeedKarma]

Yesterday (or maybe the day before) my 17-year old complained that I had "ruined" pornography for her because we didn't turn it off when she came into the room as a 3-5 year old. She now finds it boring. I could only think "my work is done."

So... show pornography to 3 - 5 year olds is your recommendation for parenting? We certainly have different parenting styles.

[Catsmine]

So... show pornography to 3 - 5 year olds is your recommendation for parenting? We certainly have different parenting styles.

Beats Freddy Kruger movies, like so many parents allow toddlers to watch.

[NeedKarma]

Beats Freddy Kruger movies, like so many parents allow toddlers to watch.

Oddly enough I do neither.

[Catsmine]

Oddly enough I do neither.

Aren't we a pair of odd ducks, then.

[KBC]

See the amazing amount of diversity between even the few of us?

Where are the tea Party people who believe in this 5 year old teaching of politics?

[DoulaLC]

See the amazing amount of diversity between even the few of us?

Where are the tea Party people who believe in this 5 year old teaching of politics?

I don't think you will find many, at least not in the fashion the media may have made it sound was happening. Children are indoctrinated on a regular basis, but in regard to civics, a five year old is only going to understand what pertains to them... getting along with others, accepting differences, being a good helper in their family and community, etc..
Again, I think it was more media hype to try and get things stirred up... much ado about nothing.

[tomder55]

You changed the terms of the discussion. In the OP you mentioned teaching the US Constitution,making sure these same children will be knowledgeable in the ways of government.
But now you talk about teaching them politcs. It is not the same thing.
There was a time when we were given basic civics education as early as 5 years old. Little things like the Pledge of Allegiance ,singing traditional Patriotic songs were all part of our training .
I honestly don't see why there would be an objection to that ;whereas I see that there would be plenty objection to some of the sex-ed that get's proposed for elementary school age students.

[KBC]

Sorry,but in my world,there is NO difference to politics(Tea Party agendas,Republican agendas, Democrats agendas, and THEIR interpretation of the Constitution),, it's ALL politics... no spin.

None of this ,"What is the definition of is"No word games,no change of venues.

The Newspapers can print anything under the ?First amendment, Freedom of Speech?The NRA can have the Freedom to bare arms under ?The second? Or third? (I care little for who claims what to serve their purposes, it's all politics.)

Now take these agendas to the 5 year old.What is ANY party teaching 5 year old children,other than THEIR agenda?Not a unification process,not something to bring your neighbor closer to you, if your parents are democrats and the neighborhood is republicans,plus now throw in a 'middle of the road' Tea partier who doesn't have ties between ANY party,then a few green party, Independence party,liberals,conservatives, outspoken Rush Limbaugh fans,Charles Groden listeners, Hollywood actors guild sympathizers...

I think you are to begin to understand my views,, on politics.

Now add sex education to ALL those 'parties' above.

How about Gun control.

Marijuana legalization.

Immigration reform.

Election reform.

Military spending.

Etc,etc,etc... ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

No,there is no difference in the constitution of the USA and politics,there can not be one without the other.

[tomder55]

No spin... there is a fundamental difference between politics and civics . You can look it up.

[KBC]

How close are the 'grey lines' between those 2?

How many shades of grey are there also?

[tomder55]

Black and white..

I don't see where teaching children rights ,duties ,what it means to be a citizen ,or appreciation of the country is a political act. Teaching them the basics on how the government functions (in theory ) is non-political .

I assure you that it is the lack of civics education that leads to many of the political battles today. The ONLY thing that binds us together as a nation is a common understanding of what it means to be an American. When we lose that ,the nation moves dangerous towards fracture.

We believe the people are sovereign ,and that makes it imperitive that the people become engaged in the body politic and knowlegable of what it means to be sovereign . That is why civic lessons are essential . The earlier the better.

[speechlesstx]

Why not teach civics to 5-yr-olds, some are already labeling 3-yr-olds as bigots so why not?

Three-year-olds being labelled bigots by teachers as 250,000 children accused of racism

[Alty]

Hi everyone.

Admittedly I'm not very versed in politics, also, I'm in Canada, so I'm even less versed in US politics, or US news stations.

I would however like to voice my opinion, but sadly I cannot really comment on the political portion of this thread. I've never studied the US constitution in detail, because it really doesn't affect me.

In Canada sex ed starts in grade 6. They get the standard "this is what your body is going through, this is what will start happening, here's some deodorant, a pamphlet, go home and talk to mom and dad about it", class.

The pamphlet discussed growth, puberty, changes, but not sex.

In grade 7 the sex talk starts. It's the basics, egg meets sperm, baby in 9 months talk. More of a biology lesson than a sex talk, but more involved. This lesson continues through to around grade 9 (unless they've changed it), at which time kids (with parents permission) are taught the use of a condom, that waiting is best but... if you're going to do it, protect yourself. This was what my education entailed, and I went to a Catholic school. Just fyi. :)

By the time they're in high school they know that having sex won't make your leg muscles change and make you walk funny (a question asked by a 23 year old on AMHD), nor will boys die if they don't have sex every day. They're prepared as well enough that I feel confident that they could get by, and any further questions are directed to the parents, if the parents are up to it.

I'm not one of those parents that have left sex ed up to the schools. Although my children will be taught the basics, I am very much a part of it. I've left sex ed up to my kids in a lot of ways. When they ask, that's when I tell. My son (12) is starting to ask more in depth questions, unlike the "where do babies come from" questions he asked when he was 8.

What am I trying to say? At age 5 they shouldn't be taught sex ed, nor should they have to worry about politics. Learning how their government works is important, but at the age of 5 they really should be learning how school works, that you shouldn't pee in the hamster cage at school, that biting fellow students isn't nice, and to wash their hands after going to the bathroom. They're too young to have to worry about things that they don't yet need to know.

[Catsmine]

At age 5 they shouldn't be taught sex ed, nor should they have to worry about politics. Learning how their government works is important, but at the age of 5 they really should be learning how school works, that you shouldn't pee in the hamster cage at school, that biting fellow students isn't nice, and to wash their hands after going to the bathroom. They're too young to have to worry about things that they don't yet need to know.

True enough. How old were they when they first tried to sing "Oh Canada" or "God Save the Queen?" That's the level of civics education we're discussing.

As far as Sex Ed goes, quips about porn aside, we have always made it a point to answer our kids' questions as fully and completely as we could. We never put off the answer with "when you're older" nor did we ever lie. The only time they were smacked was for lying. Twice each in their lives.

[Alty]

True enough. How old were they when they first tried to sing "Oh Canada" or "God Save the Queen?" That's the level of civics education we're discussing.

As far as Sex Ed goes, quips about porn aside, we have always made it a point to answer our kids' questions as fully and completely as we could. We never put off the answer with "when you're older" nor did we ever lie. The only time they were smacked was for lying. Twice each in their lives.

Oh Canada was taught in kindergarten, but not sung every day. God save the Queen, I don't think I've heard it. I know they haven't learned it. What I find amusing is that they say the Lords prayer every day, but it's a public school. :rolleyes:

I have toned down my sex talks with the kids depending on how old they are. When 6 year old Syd asked how babies are made, I gave her the PG version.

At age 8 she now knows all the ins and outs (no pun intended) of how babies are made, because she asked. What I find really funny is that she recently told the 13 year old boy in our neighborhood that he was wrong, not all birth control is effective. She told him that no sex is best because any sex can lead to a baby. Not in those exact words, but she got her point across, and I'm proud that she knows this. Would she know it if she hadn't asked, eventually, but probably not at age 8. She's an inquisitive little girl. I refuse to lie to her.

Heck, I refuse to lie so much that sadly, when she asked me last year whether Santa is real, I told all. :( It sucks! :(

[Catsmine]

Heck, I refuse to lie so much that sadly, when she asked me last year whether Santa is real, I told all. :( It sucks! :(

Santa is real. He's got a (mostly) white beard and goes by the nickname "Dad."

[Alty]

Santa is real. He's got a (mostly) white beard and goes by the nickname "Dad."

Or mom, depending on the work schedule of dad. ;)

Thank Dog we have 4 rabbits and the kids think they take turns being the Easter bunny. :cool:

[Stringer]

"Thank Dog?" :)