From: Robert Bradbury (bradbury@genebee.msu.su)
Date: Fri Jan 21 2000 - 19:16:51 MST
On Thu, 20 Jan 2000, Spike Jones wrote:
>
> Experience: I am acquainted with a bright child who had not, at the
> age of 5, been introduced to the concept of death. She was raised
> vegetarian. Her parents judged that it was not yet the time, and I,
> not wanting to question their judgement, played along.
>
Big mistake. I would say that being raised in a "sheltered environment"
(middle class-America) is in a fairly direct way responsible for costing
me amounts ranging from 6 to 7 figures. It may have also have exposed me
to one or more life-threatening situations that I was ill-prepared to deal
with. Sheltering individuals (children or adults) from the harsh realities
that exist does nothing more than hinder their overall chances for survival.
One potentially preserves their naivete at the possible expense of their
lives. Its sucking up to the parents at the expense of the child. Never
avoid a chance to show individuals (children or adults) that "nature"
(whether its the natural kind or a human environment) -- may simply
"not care". If you want to be a bit harsher, don't hesitate to demonstrate
that its dog-eat-dog as well.
Robert
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