Talking with Your Children about Bin Laden's death
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
It is impossible to look anywhere in the media today without being confronted with the headlines trumpeting the death of America's (and most of the Western world's) most wanted terrorist.
Bin Laden and many like him were behind some of the most hideous attacks on innocent people that we have ever witnessed. His plans were deadly, and even thinking about them now can be sickening.
But what do we teach our children in relation to his killing?
Make no mistake, he was undeniably a murdering man capable of horrendous actions. His misguided influence has been felt tragically around the entire globe.
Tonight on the news your children will see people relishing his assasination. High-fives, smiles, hand-clapping, backslapping celebrations are adorning Western media outlets in response to his death.
I can't tell you what you should teach your children. But it's almost certain that an issue this big will be a talking point in many homes tonight.
What will you tell your children? How will you explain it?
Is his death really going to do 'justice'to those who have grieved because of his actions?
Should we be 'celebrating'?
For my family, my position will be clear. First, I'll ask my children what they think (assuming it comes up as a conversation piece). Second, I'll let them know that the world can do without people like Bin Laden.
But third, I'll be indicating that murder, death, assassination, call it what you will is no cause for celebration. Rather, it is a time for reflection and work to make things better. It is a time to recognise that we live in a world of privilege and that people fight to defend what we take for granted.
The situation also promotes lots of fascinating discussion points that only your moral compass can dictate an answer for. For example:
Is it right to kill people because they've killed people?
What would happen if we went around killing everyone that wanted to kill everyone?
How do you feel deep inside when you hear news like that?
What do you think will happen to people who loved him or followed him?
And so on.
The significance of what has occurred in relation to Bin Laden is substantial. But the greater significance for our children is how we respond to it, and what we teach them because of it.
What will you teach your children?
2 comments:
My child of now 8 years often asks me what's the status of Ajmal Kasab's hanging? I had told him that it wasn't entirely his fault that he turned into a terrorist as he grew up(uneducated,aimless,no cause to fight for,brainwashed by his terror group mentors)these were the reasons I gave him for Kasab turning into the hideous individual that he turned into. I told him Kasab dint quite know what he was doing on the night of the famous 26/11 Mumbai carnage.Like all Indians I was burning with fury for what had happened back then but I don't know whether I want him hanged myself;onthe other hand my son has developed a bit of a sympathy for him which I dont entirely disagree with too;If he will be hanged that would be symbolic so that no other individual goes astray and does a thing like that again.It'll be a lesson for the rest.But what do I tell my child,I am struck with the dilemma of alo wanting my innocent child to stick to A particular stance on a subject since he's too young to understand the nitty-gritties of the heinous world of terror against the state!!
Hi Momo
Tough situation to be in.
My recommendation is that context is valuable - and you've provided that. Your son understands that people's background, lack of education, and other circumstances can allow them to be influenced by bad ideas. That said, you indicated (quite rightly) that you don't want your son to be sympathetic either.
This is a challenging situation, but frank and honest discussion will usually lead to the outcome you're seeking. You can discuss how you hate what the person did, and how so many people are glad he's dead. You can talk about how you wonder if killing someone can make things right. Your child will be able to learn from you as you try to find answers that you are comfortable with yourself.
Post a Comment