Disgusting Example of Indoctrination

[robvalue]

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm genuinely interested in what I might unwittingly indoctrinate a child with. I'm using indoctrinate to mean teach uncritically; if someone thinks it is no different from teaching critically, then we're not talking about the same thing.

Of course, some answers will be, "That is the convention". There's no good reason we use the letters and numbers we do, it's just useful that we all use the same. But I can be honest about this being arbitrary, and it happens to be the one prevalent in our area. They are free to learn about other ones, and to use them if they want, but I'll explain it's easiest to use what everyone else does most of the time.

As for morality, I would try and help them develop it themselves. Of course, anti-social behaviour needs stopping. But I'll be fully explaining why that behaviour is inappropriate. If they somehow don't have a sense of empathy to appeal to, I'd get specialist help with raising them. If they are being stubborn about any particular point, I'd have to simply explain the consequences of their actions and why I am doing them. Ultimately, I'd be explaining the pragmatic approach to behaviour in lieu of empathy, if theirs hasn't properly developed at that point. But I'd always welcome questions. I'd like to think I'd never just say, "Because I said so", about anything. Of course, while I'm responsible for their care, I will be making certain decisions on their behalf, even if they disagree with them. That is for their protection as a child, for reasons they will come to understand later even if they don't at the time.

I'd share my opinion about morality, and encourage them to find theirs. I wouldn't simply tell them I am right. I'd encourage them to check for themselves, where possible and practical, anything I am teaching them.

I'd encourage them to think. That's the most important part. I'd help them work out how to tell the difference between reality and fantasy. If religious parents do this at all, it would have to be after the religious indoctrination has finished, and isn't retroactively applied to it.