I had to sit through the whole thing. Now it’s your turn:

As a teacher (and perhaps eventual parent), I kind of want to say “Yes, those are good ideas.” You should just listen to the adults and do what you’re told.

Every other part of me wants to scream, “GO BREAK THE GODDAMN RULES!” And “Fuck tha Police!”

So where do you draw the line?

George Carlin said it so well when he spoke about the commandment, “Honor thy father and mother“:

Obedience. Respect for authority. Just another name for controlling people. The truth is, obedience and respect should not be automatic. They should be earned. They should be based on the parents’ performance. Parents’ performance. Some parents deserve respect; most of them don’t. Period.

It sounds so easy to tell kids: “Hear what the authority figures have to say and decide for yourself whether it’s worth following.” But when you’re young, you think parents and pastors all have your best interest at heart. How do you separate their good advice and information from, say, the lies you might hear in a church?

What’s the best way to teach a child to tell the difference?

(Thanks to Laura for the link!)



