Can a Politician Corrupt a Six-Year-Old Child?
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Do politicians have a big influence over our children, and if so, is it for the better, or the worse?
Do politicians have a big influence over our children, and if so, is it for the better, or the worse? Well, I read this article about politicians corrupting children, the perfect example, it would seem ; but to be honest, I’m not so sure, all is as it seemed.
In Beijing China several children were interviewed on a television show about their aspirations when they grew up. Many responded by saying they didn’t know what they wanted while others announced they wanted to be teachers and such.
However, when one six-year-old little girl was asked what she aspired to be when she grew up, she replied,
” when I grow up, I want to be an official.”
When the interviewer asked what kind of an official, the little girl responded,
“A corrupt official because corrupt officials have lots of things.”
The television show was posted on a southern China website. You can imagine the instant reaction of bloggers. The Southern Metropolis Daily reported that some bloggers described her comments as, ” a reflection of social reality.”
One post stated, “Socialism has issued a new version of ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’.”
While another commented, “The ugliness of life has already corrupted the children–how are we ever going to educate the next generation?”
The child was even praised for her “realistic” outlook on life, and some expressed cynicism over mass corruption in China.
Are politicians corrupting our children? I’m not so naive as to think “not”, but is this really their handy-work? Everyone is so quick to declare the bad effects of politicians on our children; but could we simply be missing one of the oldest traits(or talents) of a child: the art of mimicking ?
We know that children learn by example and they often learn by watching and mimicking their parents. I can’t count the number of times when my kids were that young, and repeated my exact words, in order to look more grown-up. Honestly, how many times have you said and done things only to see and hear your child repeat them?
So how could a six-year-old child really come to this conclusion? Are we to believe that a six-year-old girl sat and watched the news or read the local paper daily, and logically came to this conclusion, all on her own? I know there are exceptionally smart children out there, geniuses in fact, but the article mentioned nothing of the child being exceptionally gifted. Had she been, it would have certainly declared it. In fact, maybe the little girl just overheard the statement on television, and simply repeated it. Isn’t it natural for a child to often repeat things they don’t necessarily understand? So is this really the result of of corrupt politicians or is this the work of simply, a six-year-old child mimicking?
Although, I may not agree with the original views of this story; this is NOT to say that politicians aren’t bad influences on our children, because a lot of them are, but is this really the case?
36 Comments
Nice one to share..Great work…
Inasmuch as the child’s comment was conceptual and full in thought (she attributed a value to the employment) I’d be hard-pressed to think she didn’t have a bit of opinion of her own and wasn’t necessarily simply ‘parroting’ a complex concept on her own. It’s true that children will emulate, in vacant rhetoric, things that their close adults will state; but it is also true that the media thrives on opportunities, such as this, to proliferate their own model or opinion. In short, this one is hard to judge accurately. A worthy discussion, Deb!
Good post. Scary if its really true. Well, hope not
That little girl said it for many kids. She just put the words to the thoughts of the wants of what some young admire.
I think it’s more likely that her parents corrupted her. Children listen to everything grown-ups say- I was a listener when I was little and- to my parents exaggeration- I was a repeater, too
Deb,
I agree with you that children reflect more of what their parents views what the actually she and hear from other people. I have often noted when counseling others that children take on their parents views sometimes even in the adulthood. This is interesting and well written.
Bless you,
Chris
I am moderate in my political views maybe slightly to the left on
occasion but two of my previous comments were blotted out
by someone. Strange.
Not sure of my opinion, but I think you have written a great article here! Thank you for sharing
Great post! Good topic for debate. Children are influenced by many people. Parents, grandparents, teachers and their peers ect. What these people believe about the political figures will certainly influence a childs thoughts.
Children are like sponges and absorb so much of their surroundings. In their early years they tend to reflect everything around them at various times, both the good and the bad. The fortunate part of this reality is that they are still teachable for years to come, so that such responses as the one highlighted on that TV show need not be a reflection of the young girl’s permanent set of values in her adulthood. Interesting discussion point, Deb!
They learn what they are taught! Good post Deb!
Very interesting article, both informative and well written! I agree with the fact that unless otherwise stated she was an average six year old that picked it up from some where.Television,parents,teachers could all be responsible factors when concerning this, however; one thing is for certain the society must be quite currupt for a child to pick up this way of thinking. Great work!
Good points, Deb. Have not been aware of this, thanks for posting it.
This is a great article and I think you will benefit from the debate over Obama’s speech. I do not believe the politicians are corrupting the child but the child is actively reflecting the reality of the Chinese system. Or at least reflecting her parents view on the matter. Thank you for sharing this I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I agree that children repeat what they hear whether they understand is another question. the child might have overheard adults jesting about crooked officials or who knows but, no, a six year doesn’t understand what they are saying.
I liked the article. I think politicians can corrupt young people but I don’t believe Obama would. He’s a better person than that.
Great message that leaves us craving more food for thought. Great article!
Great topic,The children are the reflections of their parents.
I agree.. that child was molded by her surroundings for her to say such a thing..
I ran a school election once when I was teaching and the nine year old candidates certainly seemed to know what they were talking about in their election speeches. I don’t think the prime minister himself could have done better. So I do think reasonably intelligent children pick up what they hear and are able to use it to their advantage even if they are influenced to a certain extent by their parents’ opinions. A good article for debate. Well done Debbie.
Christine
Great article, Deb. I find it hard that a 6 year old would have drawn that conclusion—more likely she’s picked up on cynical rhetoric of her elders. Whatever—the little girl was bang on. Even more so if she’d have been British!
Very interesting point of view. I never aware of this before. Great post!
Your article was timely and well taken. Young children take up the religion and politics of their parents. Older kids can be molded by external influences. Hitler nearly raised a new generation of Socialists.
The answer is yes. Children is like a white paper, and they’re easily influenced by what they see, what they hear and what others think of them. Politicians shouldn’t abuse to get influenced children, who’re still can’t completely distinguish “bad” and “good”. Great piece, have my liked it.
I’m sorry for the typing errors.
The answer is yes. Children are like a white paper, and they’re easily influenced by what they see, what they hear and what others think of them. Politicians shouldn’t abuse to take chance to influence children, who’re still can’t completely distinguish among “bad” and “good”. Great piece, have my liked it.
Interesting point of view but I think it’s the parents who have the real influence. I feel the little girl heard her parents make that statement.
Of course it’s the parents as well as teachers and the media. However, that is why children have to be of a certain age to vote. Until that age, the parents are in control which is the way it is supposed to be. I do believe there is more to the subject of corruption than you state in this article. The President speaking to school children became the point but there was far more involved. The video that was shown to children without parents permission the week prior was definitely political and used some strange terminology like “what can you do to serve your President”. Those that compared it to Hitler Youth were not totally wrong. Making the President’s speech mandatory did not help. The message he gave in the actual talk to the children was a follow up to the messages sent the week before. Yes, my children are affected by our thinking. We teach them what we feel is right. When they become adults they will learn from more sources and make their own decisions. Until then, I think the Administration and Congress should be concentrating on saving our economy and fighting terrorism.
Userpeg
This article was based solely on an incident that took place in China and not the speech given by President Obama to school children. Obama’s name was never mentioned.
True corruption begins at home!
That’s why politics is usually a family business—
It sounds like she was influenced … very thought provoking article Debbie ..
interesting…
Very well written. If politics wasn’t that badly portrayed.I could damn well run for presidency. It doesn’t require good command of grammar once your constituents voted your name. Worst, you could leave the headaches to the investigation committee to make a thorough, grammatically correct report to unearth your corrupt moves once you were seated on the throne of power. While you’re there watching the progress of the report at the click of a finger. You will not be a fool to incriminate yourself would you? (kidding).
I think children are influenced by what they hear the parents say. I doubt that a six year old would know anything about politics.
This article reminded me of North Korean children singing to the “Dear Leader” on SBS the other night..pretty way-out and unnatural if you ask me. If parents are concerned about their childrens minds being ‘corrupt’ by a politician..they need to talk to them about it..find out what they heard..share their views and if they disagree..tell them why. Children will always make up their own minds anyway..talking to them regularly about what you believe is in my humble opinion, the best way to influence them. This is nothing in comparison to the video games available on the market today and lets not forget television – the biggest corruptor of them all.
Elleword,
You are so right, the media plays a powerful part in corrupting the young minds today.
This is a very good article for debate. I think any six year old child who spends any time watching television can and will pick up on things such as news clips just as they learn from their parents, even when it seems they aren’t paying attention. If a child sees a news teaser about a corrupt politician gaining lots of money or expensive homes and cars without knowing the rest of the story, I think he/she could very easily come to the conclusion that becomming a corrupt politician is a good thing to aspire to.