Many times, Christian children are called "sheltered" because of their moral values and the fact they attend church on Sundays. So what does "sheltered" mean? Could it be that these kids do not want to take part in these things?
Christian families have expectations of the children. They are expected to behave in certain ways since they are taught moral values right out of the Bible. How do I know this? I was raised in moral Christian family. Of course though, we were by no means perfect. My mother was/is the Christian parent and we were raised to be like her. Would I call myself sheltered? In a way, I suppose you could say that I was sheltered. I only attended public school until right after sixth grade and even then, I did not fit in with my peers. It was the reason I left. My interest was music and finding cool new bands instead of learning to ride a bike and batting a ball. Yet, I was always labeled sheltered.
Now, I do not believe that my parents were as overbearing as I thought when I was a kid. My sister and I thought this because were not allowed to watch "bad" movies and listen to "bad" music.
Part 2 ----> "Because I said so"
Seriously, children really hate this answer. Why do parents always give it to their children? Are they just that lazy that they cannot come up with a answer for their kids? I deem this answer a horrible answer and it should never be given. I mean, I honestly think that a lot of kids would just respect their parents wishes if "because I said so" was not the answer to their question. Of course children should obey their parents, but this is overboard and not the answer at all. It is a cop out answer because a) there is no answer b) the parent does not want to think of one c) tis answer is good enough, the kid should accept it. I think children should be given some trust in terms receiving answers. I think that if they were "explained" not just "told" answers, they would be more likely to accept them. Of course, there will always be hard-headed children who could care less what their parents have to say.
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5 comments:
Personally, I don't think we ask children enough...and try and get involved in their wee worlds. It's no wonder that we have such trouble as adults just conversing.
First of all, Part 1. I too, come from a christian family, and my parents also were very strict on what my brother and I watched and listened to when we were growing up. I don't really consider myself sheltered though. I think I had a very good upbringing, and it's probably the same type of upbringing I will give to my children one day, if I have any. Being raised with morals and rules doesn't nessecarily mean sheltered. I've always thought of that as a derogatory term used by kids who are more popular than others.
As to part 2, well I always hated the 'because I said so' comment. Parents should not be allowed to say that, just because its such a cliche.
Josh,just because parents are strict does not necessarily mean the kids are sheltered. Those are two different things completely. A child can know what is being shown on MTV, yet he/she does not watch it. They could know dirty jokes, yet have not said any of it. You can be raised with morals and values and not be sheltered.
Johanna, we do not ask children enough. They are not being talked to, instead they are being talked down to. Everyone assumes that cannot understand what things are- but if they are told why they cannot play outside after 10pm- maybe they will acually listen.
I've a friend who, like me, was raised in a Christian home. Neither one of us experienced a truly strict upbringing, but there were moments I felt like I was on Mars. When I look back, I appreciate the grounding of certain moral certainties, but I have to also agree with Josh about the clichés...although, there again, I didn't experience much of that. My parents are pretty eccentric.
I think your lucky to have the parents you did , they are a rare thing in this country today.
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