How to Raise a Misanthropic Child

Betrayal:

Lying to a child most often creates cynicism and disillusionment. Few will argue that a child's early concepts should be based in truth and reality. However, adults at the oneset betray the trust granted them in parenthood and guardianship. Kids deserve the right to be protected from deliberate harm. Parents, culture and society have a responsibility to provide children with an accurate view of the world. To do otherwise is not unlike a mother bird who would pluck the feathers from it's young before tossing it from the nest. Children are to be nurtured - that means providing them with everything necessary to thrive. Truth and moral certainty encourge this.... lies meant to hide ethical doubt is cowardly and vicious.

Trouble is..... "adults", "parents", culture and society do it all the time! Then, if we are concerned enough with inner growth at odd (mature) ages we must go backward and rebuild a new set of values. Or as most, continue blindly never quite "fixing" the ills from their childhood.

One of the most difficult things to re-negotiate with my "inner child" is the ethics of our treatment to animals and our consumption of "meat". Why did I believe what I believed? And how could I suspend my judgement for so many decades? I guess I'm always looking for "the switch".

Truth is a building block which provides safety. Knowing what "is" is fundamental for a child to assimilate the world around.

But parents and adults do several things which deny a child his right to unclouded judgements. Immediately one thinks of Easter bunnies and Santa Clause as lies perpetrated for adult amusement. It is done because of tradition and ritual. At the expense of the child, adults often attempt to recreate their own childhood continuing the ruse and the myths. Aided of course by all of society and culture.

Few of us have been "traumatized" in learning that toothfairies and jolly men in red suits don't exist. However, it ignites a pattern of suspicion. Rightfully so, clearly what we were told is not what is.

With confidence dimished, a child's conceptual evaluations become less clear. All require further inspection and careful scrutiny. Adults cannot be trusted for accurate information particularly if their own opinions are cloudy and uncertain, as they most often are concerning animals and "meat".