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Kids adhering to the same values and beliefs as their parents is not "brain-washing". amirite?
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Sharing your family's values to the next generation isn't brainwashing, you're right. Tryiing to isolate children from other values systems and beliefs is.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Or punishing them for having different viewpoints is also brainwashing.
by Silly-Elderberry2 weeks ago
like punishing them for hitting others is brainwashing?
by Noconnell2 weeks ago
No, punishing them for not believing that gay people are possessed by the devil, or not thinking that men are inherently better than women, or not believing that all <insert different race or religion> are terrorists.
by Silly-Elderberry2 weeks ago
This is the take
by Civil-Competition2 weeks ago
There are plenty of beliefs that are dangerous for children. It's ok to refuse them.
by Slow-Morning2 weeks ago
Also, if the kid can articulate why they hold these values is important. "because mom/dad/the Bible/etc. said it was bad." Is brainwashing. If they don't know why something is bad. Or don't have the critical thinking skills and maturity to understand certain concepts, they can't form their own opinions. That is parroting and brainwashing.
by leonora322 weeks ago
Yes but with a caveat. Sometimes there's a why that kids just aren't intellectually developed enough to understand yet or put into their own words. Concepts like consent, charity, fairness, empathy, social contract theory, etc are all things I indoctrinated my kids in well before they could articulate why. I'm not raising selfish assholes until they're able to explain why it's morally wrong to be a selfish asshole. You do need to give them insight into the why and ultimately they need their own why, but sometimes the what comes before the why.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
On this point though, the age of the kid matters. A 5 year old saying that isn't necessarily brainwashing because a 5 year old can't really formulate a proper belief system of their own. They will just parrot the belief system of their parents or another trusted adult in their life. A 15 year old saying that is more concerning, and anyone over the age of 18 who's saying that has definitely been brainwashed
by Outside_Chance_15762 weeks ago
You really need a Bible to understand that things that cause harm, pain or distress to other living beings are wrong?
by Juanitablock2 weeks ago
To a certain extent yes. Simply put because a lot of y'all believe in evolution therefore survival of the fittest. So from a survival standpoint what is wrong with doing anything you can to survive. Other animals do it so what difference is it for us? I'm saying this using y'all's logic
by Massive_Frosting57082 weeks ago
Also you are right a lot of religions have had some very awful people who abuse the power they gain from it. But I simply am stating why morals make sense to me and would like to inquire on why your morals make sense from a non religious point of view.
by Massive_Frosting57082 weeks ago
Empathy. I experience it, and it informs my decisions with regards to other people. I may not always be "right" but I've got a pretty good sense of what's wrong. And the god that is described in the Bible sounds like a selfish and deluded asshole to me
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Never said God indirectly told me but I just want to understand your belief system behind being a "good" person without the threat of punishment. I say this from complete neutrality and kindness. I am just genuinely curious to hear people's POVS.
by Massive_Frosting57082 weeks ago
Believing that evolution and survival of the fittest happens in nature as an objective fact is not the same thing as saying that it is a morally good ideology and guide for how you behave in a society insulated from nature (by and large).
by rodriguezfabian2 weeks ago
Not allowing your children to challenge or question your beliefs and values is also brainwashing
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Perfect response!
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Forcing parental beliefs on children is brainwashing however. Or indoctrination I should say
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
I would call it indoctrinatin if you're not teaching and preparing kis to think for themselves.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
What if the parent isn't trying to isolate them and they grow up in a homogenous culture?
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
People shouldn't be isolated from other cultures either. A homogenous culture isn't brainwashing, but they're very rare...
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Homogenous cultures aren't rare at all, they're very very common. Most people tend to live around other people who are demographically like themselves.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Depends on how you define culture. We live in an international, multicultural world these days.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
It depends. Were the kids given a fair opportunity and environment to believe otherwise? I'll agree that some people are too quick to call things brainwashing but you have to admit a lot of parents either force their beliefs on their children or don't give them an opportunity to believe otherwise. If a kid only feels safe to believe what their parents believe, that's brain washing. There's nothing inherently wrong with telling your kids what you believe and why though. Telling them is not the same thing as indoctrinating them.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
"I believe in X religion, and I'm gonna take you to my weekly religious service with me so you can learn about the religion too and eventually decide for yourself what's right for you." = Normal and healthy. "I believe in X religion, so I'm gonna put you in a school where only other X religious people go, not allow you to be friends with anyone who's not in X religion, only allow you to read and consume X religion media, tell you that members of any other religion are evil, not allow you to explore any other religion, not allow you to question X religion in any way, and threaten you with the withdraw of my love if you decide you don't want to be a part of X religion." = Brainwashing and abuse. Replace "religion" with any political party, group affiliation, belief system, etc. It's okay and normal for parents to share their beliefs with their children, and normally it's all totally healthy and fine. But some parents absolutely do take it a really extreme and dangerous level.
by Own-Sugar-2952 weeks ago
Thank you, that's perfectly written what I wanted to say. This great.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
There's a difference between instilling your own values into your children and teaching them to reject opposing viewpoints and raising them to never be able to question YOUR beliefs.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Agreed. And I'm a cleve audio dude.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
No. But these are the same people that think colleges are "brainwashing" their kids when in reality the kids are just experiencing life, people, and knowledge outside of their family confirmation biases. And realizing "oh, my parents were wrong about a lot of things."
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
You're probably right.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
I've encountered plenty of asshole atheists in the wild. It isn't a high percentage of them, but they're just as arrogant about their religious stance as the in-your-face evangelicals.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
If kids are exposed to beliefs and then choose to adopt them, that is one thing. If they are forced into those beliefs or threatened with punishment or isolation from people who have different beliefs, that is brain washing. Whether it's racism, -phobia, religion, or other things.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Well worded
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
What's wild is that you always hear this idea that kids should be "protected" from the values and beliefs of their parents from childless people in their early 20s whose parents had exceptionally extreme beliefs that they actually adopted for some time... It's not coming from the average fully grown adult who simply had some disagreement with their folks, so did things differently.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Great point
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Might not be brain washing but Its at least indoctrination if you're only teaching/showing the kid one side.
by Dry_Palpitation_28812 weeks ago
I don't teach my kids antisemitic beliefs. Is that brainwashing? I think other responses nail it. Preventing them from discovering other beliefs is problematic. It's not my job to teach them Hinduism, for instance.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
That's like that ridiculous gotcha of "you're also intolerant for not tolerating my intolerance" 🥴 And no, you don't have to teach them Hinduism, but don't teach them that Hindus are bad people or poor lost souls for not belonging to the same religion you do. And don't get angry if they want to learn about Hinduism. That also doesn't mean that you can't talk about specific concerns or criticisms you have about other world views, as long as you have actual arguments.
by That_Caterpillar_3532 weeks ago
Well. There is a reason infants are introduced to religion. Imagine turning 18 and your parents introduce you to the biblical version of reality. How would that go ya think?
by Orlandgreen2 weeks ago
I don't know. Interesting point.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
I'd be happy if the parents and political pundits who insist teachers are brainwashing students would just knock it off.
by Pitiful_Twist_38512 weeks ago
Hey, if I could brainwash students, I'd make them complete their homework and study for tests.
by Pitiful_Twist_38512 weeks ago
I don't think your political beliefs should be carried on celebrated. Everyone should come to their opinion in an unbiased environment allowing to do research and come to their own opinion Now obviously that's not a realistic scenario, therefore ur right it's not being brain washed for parents just being themselves around their kids. I just disagree it should be celebrated and purposely passed down
by Brave_Entry2 weeks ago
I agree with regard to political beliefs, absolutely. I don't consider political beliefs a factor of culture.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Well normal culture should obviously be embraced so I wouldn't consider that what people refer to as brainwash. I took this as people should be allowed to push their politics and religion on kids.
by Brave_Entry2 weeks ago
Oh agree, nothing wrong with having ur child grow up religious (to an extent obviously)
by Brave_Entry2 weeks ago
This seems like a rational observation. I think it is mostly the internet who says otherwise.
by Tall-Debate-61422 weeks ago
Just out of curiosity, what beliefs do you classify as inappropriate? And which do you think are not?
by Cody872 weeks ago
Arguing isn't a pretty dull hobby, my guy.
by AshamedSolution69702 weeks ago
I'm not arguing I'm genuinely asking because what he may find inappropriate would severely change what he is talking about, what if he's talking about teaching your children that being gay/trans is okay as inappropriate? I agree that it's not brainwashing to teach your children your values but OP put exceptions to that and didn't mention what they are, I want to know what those exceptions are to him because it would change my views on what he wrote.
by Cody872 weeks ago
It is when parents discourage/prevent their kids from learning as much as they can to form their own opinions. I share many opinions with my parents, but they raised me to read as much as I can, and learn as much as possible, and to form my own opinions based on the information I gather, not just what other people tell me.
by Tight-Librarian2 weeks ago
Well if kids never get the chance to explore outside of their parents beliefs, then that definitely goes towards brainwashing territory
by Exciting_Photo_99562 weeks ago
If They choose to that of Their Own Decision? Of course not.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
I think you are trying to refer to indoctrination.
by ExcellentAardvark1352 weeks ago
It's not an issue if you allow them to interact with different views and beliefs. It's brain washing it become isolating and they are not allowed to think any other way
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
It's always important to know and appreciate your roots so I wouldn't call it brainwashing. But when you're literally teaching your kids to hate and shield them from the world it's going to cause problems (ex: Westboro Baptist Church). People exist, deal with it.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
If they can't question those beliefs and those values & are villainized for it, yes it is brain washing because you're telling them that is not ok to have different beliefs or question those beliefs because they're different than yours.
by Zestyclose_Lab2 weeks ago
Outside of the terminally online bubble this is not an unpopular opinion
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Nuh uh. Kids are supposed to believe things unaccountable people on the internet say, not their stupid parents.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
You shouldn't be allowed to take anyone under 18 into a church, honestly If it's about taking responsibility for the ultimate fate of your immortal soul then it seems it should require the same level of responsibility as selecting a sex parter
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Most people responding seem to think children should be free to explore religion. But you think it should be restricted from them? Or just the building?
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
It is if they teach their kids to eschew critical thinking, reason, logic, mathematics and the sciences.
by howellreymundo2 weeks ago
I've heard it from people in the education system. And then they wonder why parents fall for those bogus "parents rights" groups
by Weekly_Albatross2 weeks ago
I have never heard people call that brainwashing
by GardenFearless2 weeks ago
I mean I agree...but also it kinda is brain washing...like not in a bad or malicious way. We're just creatures who grow and tend to learn habits from those closest to us during our formative years. Generally this will include parents. That's not to say we shouldn't want or expect our children to grow into their own people, but really everyone starts somewhere. Do your best to do right by your kids and don't start them behind everyone else.
by Kuhlmanlempi2 weeks ago
boooo. Popular opinion
by xlittel2 weeks ago
I'm looking at it from the other side. It's disgusting that RELIGIOUS people indoctrinate their beliefs onto children. Threatening with hell and forcing them to believe, forcing them to go to church/mass.
by Unable-Tear2 weeks ago
Raising children is brainwashing.
by Electrical-Pin2 weeks ago
This seems to be where all roads are leading in the conversation lol To be fair, I use tiny muffins to convince my daughter to do anything. I'm the problem
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Children literally don't know things. Their brains are malleable. Teach them good things or bad, their brains don't actually have anything to wash.
by Electrical-Pin2 weeks ago
You just don't get it. People who believe every single thing I believe are open minded and good people. People who don't are closed minded and brainwashed. It's not complicated.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Yup. Tis the way it be. Funny. You never hear someone say "hey I believe those people did their research and soul searching and came up with wildly different values than me." The other side is always "brain washed." It's so boring
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
it is when the values are based in misogyny and colonialism.
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
Interesting
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Yeah
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
It is brain washing if the values and beliefs do not follow logic or rationale and is biased towards a single line of thinking.
by Critical-Kangaroo2 weeks ago
I think you just don't like religion, and that's okay.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
✌️
by Critical-Kangaroo2 weeks ago
It literally is indoctrination though…
by Anonymous2 weeks ago
If it is, then it's impossible to avoid. Can't leave your kid with a babysitter anytime you are participating in your religious or cultural practices.
by Adoyle2 weeks ago
Tradition is not bad, what its abhorent is indoctrination and forcing beliefs in a kid beyond the most basic stuff in moral and education to function in society, and even that once they grow is up to them I never heard someone claiming that no one should have the beliefs of their parents. In fact im not evne sure its statistically possible
by Remarkable_Plane2 weeks ago
Whatever I don't like is brainwashing.
by Complete-Taste-2102 weeks ago
Reject inherited cultural dogma in general. Be your own person. Except for food, retain the food and bring more.
by lora172 weeks ago
Depends if they came to the same conclusions themselves eventually through critical thinking or if they simply accept their parents values and beliefs as fact. I highly doubt organized religion would exist without parental indoctrination instead of letting kids explore religions for themselves.
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