Explaining Communism To Young Children

[Mannimarco]

Any advice here on how to explain leftist ideas to young children, around 3 - 12, and over?

And before you shout "Indoctrination!", I'll point out that the cultural hegemony capitalism has will indoctrinate children just as easy, so it's more beneficial for society for us to do it first.

[Nanatsu Yoru]

Biased manner or unbiased manner?

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

I'd imagine that the best thing you could do is teach the principles of communism, rather than trying to explain what communism is. What kind of small child is gonna listen to that?

Teach them how to live like communists! About the collective, egalitarianism, 'sharing' (I guess) and all of that stuff.

[Stephen Colbert]

Communism is not a political system yet. It is an idea, a vision.

Society based around the needs of ones neighbors and comrades, not based around abstractions like capital and divisive social constructs. It is a society in which people are products of their passions and not slaves to their necessities. Meaning, it would create a society in which people can pursue any endeavor in which they please and develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, culturally etc instead of subsistence living.

[Mannimarco]

Biased manner. I'm talking about indoctrination here.

[Stephen Colbert]

Biased manner. I'm talking about indoctrination here.

The world's problems are the result of rich assholes. We dont need rich assholes

[Mannimarco]

The world's problems are the result of rich assholes. We dont need rich assholes

I like that. Focusing on the gap between rich and poor and basic class struggle while saying how the working class doesn't need the capitalist class sounds good.

[PoliticalNightmare]

Tell them that communism is the doctrine based around the conditions of the liberation of the proletariat and that Marxist dialectics prove that history has been an ongoing class strugle between the exploited (the proletariat) and exploiters (the bourgeoisie) for many centuries. Then explain to them how communes would organise the distribution of labour using rubber ducks and stuffed bunny rabbits.

[Stephen Colbert]

Tell them that communism is the doctrine based around the conditions of the liberation of the proletariat and that Marxist dialectics prove that history has been an ongoing class strugle between the exploited (the proletariat) and exploiters (the bourgeoisie) for many centuries. Then explain to them how communes would organise the distribution of labour using rubber ducks and stuffed bunny rabbits.

Bourgeoisie literally means "owners of industry" in French, so thats not true. The proletariat-bourgeoisie paradigm only exists in capitalism as the final class division and the end of dialectical change once violent upheaval happens.

[Mannimarco]

Tell them that communism is the doctrine based around the conditions of the liberation of the proletariat and that Marxist dialectics prove that history has been an ongoing class strugle between the exploited (the proletariat) and exploiters (the bourgeoisie) for many centuries. Then explain to them how communes would organise the distribution of labour using rubber ducks and stuffed bunny rabbits.

The ducks will farm and distribute the food equally amoungst their comrades, and the bunny rabbits will work in the factories to create clothes and other commodities for distribution amoungst themselves and the rest of the community.

I could set up a little shoebox for the factory.

I could also have a second factory is dark colours, with a troll taking the place of the bourgeois oppressor, whipping the bunny rabbits.

[Quail]

I think about this because i wonder what I'm going to tell my son when he gets a little older. I don't believe in indoctrinating children though; they should be free to make up their own minds.

I'm going to explain to him why I believe in a free and equal society in little bits when he asks me questions, and obviously explain why I support assylum seekers and think that discrimination is bollocks, etc, etc. However, I'm not going to tell him that my views are the only right ones. When he gets older he can consider what I've said and if he agrees with me then great. If not, that's his decision (although I will be somewhat disappointed if he ends up supporting any parliamentary politics or anything haha).

[Jazzratt]

I think about this because i wonder what I'm going to tell my son when he gets a little older. I don't believe in indoctrinating children though; they should be free to make up their own minds. There's an argument to be made that there is a level of counter-indoctrination that exists in our society. Every aspect of schooling and most attitudes toward the world assume that the fundamental system is hunky dory. Then again it's been proved time and time again that people do tend to lean toward the ideas of their parents. Still I would rather trust that someone armed with the facts can make conclusions about the world and therefore see this for themselves than believe I needed to strong-arm them with propaganda into thinking and feeling just like myself.

[Magón]

I think about this because i wonder what I'm going to tell my son when he gets a little older. I don't believe in indoctrinating children though; they should be free to make up their own minds.

I'm going to explain to him why I believe in a free and equal society in little bits when he asks me questions, and obviously explain why I support assylum seekers and think that discrimination is bollocks, etc, etc. However, I'm not going to tell him that my views are the only right ones. When he gets older he can consider what I've said and if he agrees with me then great. If not, that's his decision (although I will be somewhat disappointed if he ends up supporting any parliamentary politics or anything haha).


There's an argument to be made that there is a level of counter-indoctrination that exists in our society. Every aspect of schooling and most attitudes toward the world assume that the fundamental system is hunky dory. Then again it's been proved time and time again that people do tend to lean toward the ideas of their parents. Still I would rather trust that someone armed with the facts can make conclusions about the world and therefore see this for themselves than believe I needed to strong-arm them with propaganda into thinking and feeling just like myself.

The best way I find in handling a situation like this, is telling the child to simply just make their own decision without telling them your own right away. So if the kid goes to school, and the teacher starts telling them Parliament is the way to go, ask them if they agree with that. Maybe give them a both viewpoints without saying which one you're on. Not like a Pro/Con, but just a sort of what either side see's as the facts.

Slowly give them your views, without telling them directly what it is you're about. So sort of let them figure it out by looking more into themselves, without really your hovering help.

[the last donut of the night]

Teach your kid to be nice, to share, always answer his/her questions, and give him/her as much learning opportunities you can.

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

Live meaningful communist practice, and you won't need to do much explaining.

[Rafiq]

Do experiments with Legos.

Tell them, okay, heres how it works, all four of you will each build something out of this bucket, and whoever gets the best one wins.

once they do that, they will compete, let's say Child X get's the best one. Now say, "Good Job, but what if you combined them all?"

Then tell them, "okay, now destroy them and I want everyone to work on one building, together, with all the legos".

Once they do so, ask them "Now which one is better, this one or the one before?

[Ovi]

This is stupid. What's the point? By the time he's 20, he might already have passed through a million ideologies and beliefs, and if he/she's genuinely interested in politics, he'll eventually pick whatever he finds best. If he's not, then it's pointless anyway. It's one thing to engage in discussions with your child about capitalism and socialism whenever the subject comes by, it's another thing to make a plan on how to convince your kid that your views are the best.

[Sir Comradical]

Get them to watch 'Antz' and 'A Bug's Life'. I did when I was a kid.

[Os Cangaceiros]

A severe regiment of sleep deprivation, followed by strapping the subject into a chair and forcing him/her to watch a slideshow of famous communist leaders periodically interspersed with the slogan "COMMUNISM GOOD". Headphones taped to the subject's head which play an endless loop of quotes/speeches from Lenin, Stalin, Hoxha etc. may also be beneficial.

[WeAreReborn]

A severe regiment of sleep deprivation, followed by strapping the subject into a chair and forcing him/her to watch a slideshow of famous communist leaders periodically interspersed with the slogan "COMMUNISM GOOD". Headphones taped to the subject's head which play an endless loop of quotes/speeches from Lenin, Stalin, Hoxha etc. may also be beneficial.
Do not forget the fact that at the end there will be a quiz and if the child ever answers in favor of Capitalism, then the child will receive a powerful shock. If that does not work I suggest death threats if they turn out to be a Capitalist etc. If you fail to do these steps they may see Communism as a negative and potentially dangerous thing and that will not do!

[synthesis]

Bourgeoisie literally means "owners of industry" in French, so thats not true. The proletariat-bourgeoisie paradigm only exists in capitalism as the final class division and the end of dialectical change once violent upheaval happens.

What? Seriously? That's not the literal meaning of "bourgeoisie" at all. Nor did either class exist "only in capitalism." Both terms predate Marxism by centuries.

"Bourgeoisie" comes from the same root as the suffix "-burg," like Pittsburgh, i.e. town. This is because in feudalism, the merchant class, which would become the bourgeoisie, resided primarily in towns and cities rather than rural or agrarian settings.

(That's also why "bourgeois" is sometimes used to mean "middle class" - because they were then "in the middle" between the exploited and exploiter classes.)

[Outinleftfield]

Start with some basic principles but if the child asks questions or wants to know more answer them.

You'd be surprised some children will want to know everything. I know I would have. Had my parents introduced me to communism I probably would've wound up unionizing in middle school.

[Sir Comradical]

A severe regiment of sleep deprivation, followed by strapping the subject into a chair and forcing him/her to watch a slideshow of famous communist leaders periodically interspersed with the slogan "COMMUNISM GOOD". Headphones taped to the subject's head which play an endless loop of quotes/speeches from Lenin, Stalin, Hoxha etc. may also be beneficial.

That's a great idea! Wait, are you being sarcastic?

[Jazzratt]

Live meaningful communist practice, and you won't need to do much explaining.What's "meaningful communist practice" according to you then? I'm fairly sure that had I lived in, for example, a lifestylist drop out commune I would have grown to be quite hostile to communism. Either that or slavishly devoted in a Jim Jones type way.

[robbo203]

The world's problems are the result of rich assholes. We dont need rich assholes


The worlds problems are the result of rich assholes being permitted to behave as rich assholes by the huge majority who unfortunately still support capitalism in one form or another and without which these rich assholes would simply not exist.

Lets not try to reduce our analysis of society's problems to an all too simple tale of what the Big Bad Wolf did to Little Miss Riding Hood behind the shed of whatever

[ZeroNowhere]

I'm sure that many capitalists are perfectly decent chaps. It doesn't matter, though, because's capital isn't a chap, and is not so much an asshole as it is an uncaring, Lovecraftian creature.

[BeerShaman]

The thread with the best answers!
Teach them to feel equal with each other. Teach them to care. Be talkative. That will make them social, probably. Teach them to respect each other. And the feeling of team. Tell them that one's liberty ends where starts the liberty of another. And use simple words. Tell them that it's not a shame to be a poor person and that we must help the weak. Thus you'll not only help them become egalitarian, but also compassionist. Tell them that music is good. Talk them about quality of art. Show them beautiful images. Not propagandistic ones. Teach them to love beauty and be humble. Tell them that usually boys love girls, but that it's not bad for boys to love boys or for girls to love girls. Never get enervated! Tell them that man in the past has made many efforts to be free and that people still try. Tell them that freedom and love are the most important. Don't care if you make the lesson a bit hippie. Life the same will make them hard later. Be cool and sweet. Never force them to do things. Help them create things etc. Art is some of the few acts of human that are selfish-less. And yes, let them watch ANTZ together. I love it. It made me what I am. This and Pink Floyd and some other stuuf helped a lot.

[BeerShaman]

For the most older kids. More than 10 years old. Tell them about the struggles for freedom. Without talking them about anarchy or communism politically. Just talk about deeper values. Like telling them that workers are in the base of society and that we are depended to them. And watch STALKER together. It teaches about life. It's very good for me... My best movie. Though, in the start it shows a hammmersickle statue 'cause it's Ukraine and old. Pass this moment! lol!

[Revolutionair]

I like the bucket story best.
However after they've all worked together and they made the best bucket. Take that bucket from them and scream: "HOW YOU LIKE CAPITALISM NOW?"
Immediately they will unionize and class struggle will follow.

[ZeroNowhere]

"Here, we have a single bucket. As you can see, we do not have individual products, but rather the product of your collective labour. Hence, none of you can simply take your individual product, as you could have if you had produced separate buckets individually, because there is none. Now, this feature of collective labour forms the basis of the capitalist mode of production..."

[scourge007]

You could always use sock puppets to explain communism to young children.

[Desperado]

Help them towards critical reasoning. Freethinking. Get them to question. The "I think...because...but others think" is of key importance when answering. My little brother always used to ask if Conservatives where bad people, if Tony Blair was bad. I'd answer this way. He now thinks they're bad, but has reasons, and sees flaws in why they might be good. You have to be totally liberal, and use reason only - no words they wont understand, but talk to them like an equal, no "THIS IS RIGHT", "THIS IS THE TRUTH", no anger, and always end with open questions.

Children especially respect it when people treat them like people, they're questions and opinions of importance.

And obviously you can't get near anything like communism or capitalism until they have ideas of basic morals (and backing for these), and then a basic understanding of society, property, war, government etc.

[PolishTrotsky]

Do not forget the fact that at the end there will be a quiz and if the child ever answers in favor of Capitalism, then the child will receive a powerful shock. If that does not work I suggest death threats if they turn out to be a Capitalist etc. If you fail to do these steps they may see Communism as a negative and potentially dangerous thing and that will not do!
:laugh:

[Tavarisch_Mike]

Tell them to imagine that they and theire friends are baking a cacke, it takes a lot of effort and when they are done some other kids comes and eats up the cacke, leaving just the scraps left for thoose who baked it. And thats the system we live in. Good night kids!

[The Garbage Disposal Unit]

What's "meaningful communist practice" according to you then? I'm fairly sure that had I lived in, for example, a lifestylist drop out commune I would have grown to be quite hostile to communism. Either that or slavishly devoted in a Jim Jones type way.

If that is the extent of what you can imagine for living communist practice, you are doomed to a boring life.
Also, accusations of "lifestylism" and "dropping out" are sad, reductionist, views of a broad and varied tradition of living against dominant logic, drawing on a sad and narrow tradition of liberal-political-participation-thinly-veiled-with-radical-rhetoric.
Even the Bolsheviks had their safehouses, carried out bank robberies, etc. - the idea that you can be a revolutionary by playing in the rules is sadly ahistorical.

[Sir Comradical]

Tell them to imagine that they and theire friends are baking a cacke, it takes a lot of effort and when they are done some other kids comes and eats up the cacke, leaving just the scraps left for thoose who baked it. And thats the system we live in. Good night kids!

Just then, Glenn Beck appears out of thin air and declares "Well that's socialism for ya! Robbing Peter to pay Paul! Do you want your cake stolen by the government and given to people who are too lazy to make their own damn cake? Well that's socialism!".

If that happens, keep a baseball bat handy.

[Antifa94]

I explained it to my sister the other day. she said that sounds nice! I like it.
She's ten years old.
oH and mannimarco you shouldn't be explaining shit to anyone. Why? because you're an idiot.

[Fulanito de Tal]

My dad used to ask me to explain how one person could accumulate so much wealth (like Bill Gates) through their own labor. I never could because it is impossible and that got through to me.

[Impulse97]

Frankly, I'm going to have to go with what a lot of people seem to be saying. State your beliefs but, let them decide what they want to do.

In the end they may come around anyway because its likely that they'll be more open to seeing the reality of the situation as opposed to the shit they see on tv or in school.If we open their minds and give them the choice they will be much better citizens even if they choose not to follow Communism/Socialism because they will know that it's not evil to think that way.:hammersickle::hammersickle::hammersickle:

[black magick hustla]

If that is the extent of what you can imagine for living communist practice, you are doomed to a boring life.
Also, accusations of "lifestylism" and "dropping out" are sad, reductionist, views of a broad and varied tradition of living against dominant logic, drawing on a sad and narrow tradition of liberal-political-participation-thinly-veiled-with-radical-rhetoric.


what the hell is "living communism"? as i said in another thread, there is more "communism" in an everyday man drinking beer and chatting with friends and family than dropout posers who try too hard. the reason is because communism cannot be lived, communism is the end of this civilization.




Even the Bolsheviks had their safehouses, carried out bank robberies, etc. - the idea that you can be a revolutionary by playing in the rules is sadly ahistorical.

nobody here is a revolutionary because there is no revolution going on

[Jalapeno Enema]

Between all the swearing and the hard-to-understand words, the 3-12 year old child within me is crying for Mommy to make the creepy old guys stop.


Do experiments with Legos.

Tell them, okay, heres how it works, all four of you will each build something out of this bucket, and whoever gets the best one wins.

once they do that, they will compete, let's say Child X get's the best one. Now say, "Good Job, but what if you combined them all?"

Then tell them, "okay, now destroy them and I want everyone to work on one building, together, with all the legos".

Once they do so, ask them "Now which one is better, this one or the one before?this is something like what I'd do.

For really little kids, I'd incorporate some sort of game.

Say you buy a bag of candies, and some sort of building blocks (legos would be great).
Keep the blocks in front of you, and tell the kid you want a skyscraper built, and if they do a good job, you'll "pay" them a piece of candy (if there's multiple children, on piece each.)

Explain to them that how things work under capitalism, somebody owns the materials and the tools to build the skyscraper, and pays people to work for them. Then when they finish, proclaim "that building's worth 10 pieces of candy". Pull out 10 pieces, pay them their promised piece, and keep the rest.

Next, tell them you're going to share, put the blocks in the middle; they belong to both of you. Take turns placing one block on top of each other. When you're finished, proclaim that "this building's also worth ten pieces". When you count out the candy, split it evenly, and explain since you both "owned" the blocks and shared the work you get an equal share. This is your model for communism.

This gives the children not only a lecture, but a visual. The activity also helps keep their interest.
Naturally the game/ rewards can be altered as appropriate for age/interests.

[Jazzratt]

If that is the extent of what you can imagine for living communist practice, you are doomed to a boring life. Living communist practice to me means organising within my workplace (when I have one) or working with genuine working class organisations. From your posts elsewhere you seem to favour spouting slogans and playing games of subcultural dress-up.

Also, accusations of "lifestylism" and "dropping out" are sad, reductionist, views of a broad and varied tradition of living against dominant logic, drawing on a sad and narrow tradition of liberal-political-participation-thinly-veiled-with-radical-rhetoric.
You just made a list of words, demonstrating a capacity to write without saying anything. I'd be impressed if you weren't insufferable.

Even the Bolsheviks had their safehouses, carried out bank robberies, etc. - the idea that you can be a revolutionary by playing in the rules is sadly ahistorical. The idea that playing your silly lifestyle games makes you a revolutionary, even outside of a revolutionary period, is hilarious arrogance.

[Q]

Many child's programs are already bent on communist ideals, such as cooperation.

Meh, I'll just post this pic I just made to make my case:

http://oi55.tinypic.com/2mqsqxl.jpg