Getting your children to understand socialism

[El Louton]

Comrades!

I'm 15 and don't have children but this was just to get you to read this. I would like to get my brother to understand socialism and communism. How would you recommend I explain them and get him interested? He is only 8 but is quite clever. How would you explain socialism in very easy terms? Same for communism. What vocabulary and definitions? Any examples or videos I could use?

Thanks

El Louton

[Leftsolidarity]

All the people that make things get to decide how to use them to help everyone the best. People don't get to take what they don't deserve. Idk that's off the top of my head.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

Say that communism is sharing on a worldwide scale.Depending on the age one could relate it to school and say that socialism is the students having control of their school.

[#FF0000]

Uh.

He is eight.

He doesn't need to know shit about politics let him have his youth.

[#FF0000]

just teach him to be a baller person and to be empathetic and fair and keep his promises and drink his milk and eat his vegetables and to read books and question literally everything.

[Art Vandelay]

I would say more than anything you should just tell him to question everything he hears, including your explanations of socialism. Nothing more important for kids growing up than to question things.

[R_P_A_S]

Kids are actually smarter than what we give them credit. Couple of my friends have kids and one of them was showing his son 8 year old son photos from his trip to Israel and the kid asked what was that wall for? and all he said was.. "well they have some rules that they dont let people from the other side be part of the whole country" and the kid goes.. "why dont they just knock the wall down?" LOL

[El Louton]

Yeah I'm going to wait till he asks as he often asks about politics. Then I'll bring up different systems and explain them in a biased way of course!

[Agent Ducky]

Yup. Tell him to question everything, answer to no one. Once he's a bit older you can start with the politics. 8 year olds aren't obligated to understand that stuff. My brother is 13 and I've given him a well enough understanding and he identifies himself as a leftist.

[El Louton]

Yup. Tell him to question everything, answer to no one. Once he's a bit older you can start with the politics. 8 year olds aren't obligated to understand that stuff. My brother is 13 and I've given him a well enough understanding and he identifies himself as a leftist.

The thing is though he already questions everything and considers himself leftist. He knows the main three parties and Che Guevara. He knows leaders and what they stand for. So I want to broaden his horizons and help him understand.

[DeBon]

At a younger age he would better understand the concept because he won't have any preconceived notions about Communism or Socialism. It's best to teach him now before he becomes to entangled in propaganda.

edit:
If it was me, and this is just me, try arming him with solid arguments. People involved with education will teach him, and trust me they will, that he needs a leader and throw a lot of pro-capitalist propaganda at him. Every now and then when it comes up, like common ideas spread about Communism, that is kills incentive, that it causes big government and dictatorship, it's only good in theory, give him solid example and proof that he can use and easily understand and use in his defense. Tell him that the Soviet Union and other 'Communist' countries were really never Communist, and explain why. Just use simple terminology for him.

[El Louton]

At a younger age he would better understand the concept because he won't have any preconceived notions about Communism or Socialism. It's best to teach him now before he becomes to entangled in propaganda.

Thank you Comrade! How would you explain them to him though?

[Grigori]

Make them watch Batman TAS to show that the state is corrupt

Make them watch Spiderman to show that the news doesn't always tell the truth.

Make them watch XMEN to show that sometimes the majority can be misled into oppressing others.

Make them watch the Hulk to initiate a vague mistrust for the military-industrial establishment.

Buy them a lot of videogames and have them play as the "commie bad guys/cool commie bad guys"

[#FF0000]

Make them watch Batman TAS to show that the state is corrupt

Make them watch Spiderman to show that the news doesn't always tell the truth.

Make them watch XMEN to show that sometimes the majority can be misled into oppressing others.

Make them watch the Hulk to initiate a vague mistrust for the military-industrial establishment.

oh my god

yeah this

[∞]

Please don't brainwash a little kid. Socialism isn't about that. This shit will ruin his childhood, its already made my life worse.

[DeBon]

Thank you Comrade! How would you explain them to him though?

Hm, here's something you might try doing. Explain it on the family scale. Tell him our family is like a communist community, dad and/or mom goes to work everyday to bring in money, this person cooks, you have your chores, I have my chores, this person does this, that person does that, and we all function as a family.

I don't know if this would work well or not, it's the first thing that came to my head and I typed really fast because I got to get going. Good luck with your brother, comrade. :)

[El Louton]

Please don't brainwash a little kid. Socialism isn't about that. This shit will ruin his childhood, its already made my life worse.

I'm not brainwashing him. He's interested! How did it make your life worse comrade?

[∞]

I'm not brainwashing him. He's interested! How did it make your life worse comrade?

Hes 8! The only thing he should be interested in is Pokemon and Legos. My brother asked me about capitalism one time, I told him what it was, the dictionary definition. He didn't understand what that meant, I told him not to bother.

Its made my life worse because I'm obliged to argue with everyone I disagree with everyone and point out why they're wrong, whilst confusing them or if they understand, piss them off. Or the fact I realize how fucked the world is, every time I think of politics and economic systems I'm in a bad mood.

[DeBon]

Its made my life worse because I'm obliged to argue with everyone I disagree with everyone and point out why they're wrong, whilst confusing them or if they understand, piss them off.

I know that feel, bro. :(

[El Louton]

I know that feel, bro. :(

Guys I'm not telling my brother to die for our struggle! I'm just wanting to explain what socialism and communism to him next time he asks! I love my brother more than anything and would die for him.

[∞]

I once told my brother about the election and he went around school asking everyone if they were democrat or republican. He for some reason decided he was a democrat. That is the kind of shit I'm afraid of. Teach the kid history and science, but don't by any means, let him have a biased political view.

[Art Vandelay]

Hes 8! The only thing he should be interested in is Pokemon and Legos. My brother asked me about capitalism one time, I told him what it was, the dictionary definition. He didn't understand what that meant, I told him not to bother.

Its made my life worse because I'm obliged to argue with everyone I disagree with everyone and point out why they're wrong, whilst confusing them or if they understand, piss them off. Or the fact I realize how fucked the world is, every time I think of politics and economic systems I'm in a bad mood.

Sorry man but the concept of a classless society did not do this to you. No one makes you argue with everyone who does not agree with you, you choose to do that. Sure the world is fucked up, I always knew that, at least with socialism we have a way out of this pile of shit. I was a hopeless nihilist before who did not give a shit about anyone and hated society.

[∞]

And I was a rather happy, aspiring engineer, who didn't really care for politics.

[Veovis]

First of all, don't start throwing terms like Socialism or Communism at him. Start by posing questions like "We vote for our president, why can't we vote for our bosses and managers?" or "Why do some people have so much money while many don't have enough to survive?" He'll understand things better when he arrives at the conclusions on his own.

[ColonelCossack]

INDOCTRINATE HIM.

That's what made me a commie. But don't be too, like, BRAARGGGHTRGH COMMUNISM BRRERARHGG about it. Be more seemingly friendly and patronizing, like insidious bourgeois propoganda. Like, when I first learnt about communism, it was about people sharing apples equally, when I was 7.

Of course I don't mean actually indoctrinate him. Kinda, like, gently introduce him to the most simple concepts- as much as I hate to say it, moralist arguments may be good for an 8 year old, because little kids aren't particularly materialist. Actually, that's not really indoctrination at all, is it? I suppose it has some parallels with how BS capitalist arguments are constantly drummed into people's head from the cradle to the grave. But try and make a good environment for your brother to become a materialist. Or, leave the kid alone.What an idiotic post. Sorry. I won't do it again. Da fok? Shit, I apologise for that as well. Whatev. I don't know why I'm still typing. :glare:

[Art Vandelay]

And I was a rather happy, aspiring engineer, who didn't really care for politics.

That's all fine and dandy but do not go start blaming an ideology for your troubles. Let alone trying to dissuade someone from simply defining a few terms to their younger bro who shows an interest in politics. He didn't say he was going to throw the manifesto at him.

[∞]

I'm blaming getting into politics in general. It was my fault, really.

[Rafiq]

We aren't a religion, so I wouldn't recomend ideologically converting friends or family, since this is useless not only to the movement but to your relations with them in general.

Communism is one of those things that you get interested in on your own. Sure, perhaps a friend gave you an introduction or whatever, but the research comes on your own.

[Rafiq]

First of all, don't start throwing terms like Socialism or Communism at him. Start by posing questions like "We vote for our president, why can't we vote for our bosses and managers?" or "Why do some people have so much money while many don't have enough to survive?" He'll understand things better when he arrives at the conclusions on his own.

Because Bourgeois morality is something that is rooted in the minds of most people, so property rights are something he will recognize

[Rafiq]

Hes 8! The only thing he should be interested in is Pokemon and Legos. My brother asked me about capitalism one time, I told him what it was, the dictionary definition. He didn't understand what that meant, I told him not to bother.

Its made my life worse because I'm obliged to argue with everyone I disagree with everyone and point out why they're wrong, whilst confusing them or if they understand, piss them off. Or the fact I realize how fucked the world is, every time I think of politics and economic systems I'm in a bad mood.

Ignorance is bliss.

What is better, to know reality and repel the forces of illusion on a consistant basis or to never question the symbolic ideological representations of the world we are taught from birth?

You are what you are because you asked questions, comrade, and it wouldn't be any different if you went back in time.

[Thirsty Crow]

just teach him to be a baller person and to be empathetic and fair and keep his promises and drink his milk and eat his vegetables and to read books and question literally everything.
Hey, I see something here which is not needed for a kid to grow up a good commie, at least from my own perspective :D

I'd strongly advise letting kids be kids, that is, unless they've been pressured by other people do reiterate some "political opinions" (by means of an influence mostly from teachers and other kids' parents via the influence on these kids he hangs out with; this comes from my experience) or if he expresses some opinions on his own. And then it shouldn't be a matter of OP convincing the child of poltics that will undoubtedly be vague and incomprehensible, but of a subtle pedagogy of countering crude sentiments and opinions (for example, I did encounter kids of my own age back then, though not so young, who repeated nationalist mantras in the form of crude sentiments against an ethnic group; this can be balanced out, but not by forceful attempts at "conversion").

[Cencus]

Tell him the truth when he asks about shit, but don't ram politics down his throat. Keep it short and sweet & simple but challenging. Peek his interest by making him work at understanding. There's no bigger turn off to anything than being told what to think about it.

[R_P_A_S]

stay away from the milk! lol

[Black_Rose]

Hes 8! The only thing he should be interested in is Pokemon and Legos. My brother asked me about capitalism one time, I told him what it was, the dictionary definition. He didn't understand what that meant, I told him not to bother.


I hope a child learns that the world is not the Pokemon World*, which seems to be an idyllic semi-socialist society since Pokemon centers provide free medical care, food, and lodging for Pokemon trainers, where one is free to pursue the nebulous dream of being a Pokemon master. In the real world, many, even within a supposedly "prosperous" capitalist society, struggle to finance basic amenities such as housing, food, transportation, person hygiene goods, and medical care. Many endure the moil under the drudgery of working under humiliating conditions, being subordinate to an unsympathetic, vindictive supervisors and managers, while performing work that primarily serves the interests of capital owners and being unappreciated (and even scorned) by the rest of society.

Since I am a female, I have the propensity to act as a nurturing mother who protects her children from material hardship and deleterious social influences. One obligation that socialist parents and siblings have for younger children is protect and inoculate them from the pervasive virulent memes of bourgeois and reactionary (like anti-feminism) culture so they would not eventually harbor the sentiment, attitudes, and values necessary for the acceptance of the system. As a revolutionary socialist, my conviction to the cause of revolution ultimately emanates from an edifice of sympathy, amity, mercy, and benevolence towards the working class. The minds of fledgling socialists cannot be sullied with the fetid miasma from commercial media and popular culture that encourages contempt for the working class, usually by blaming their travails on personal defects such as a lack of intelligence and lack of will to excel academically and occupationally and not on the flaws of the system. This is antithetical to sentiments of benevolence and such contempt for the workers, the victims of exploitation and neglect, preclude one from being a socialist.



*BTW, is Pokemon still popular? I watched a few (English dubbed) episodes > 10 years ago and it was ok for a children's show.

[∞]

I hope a child learns that the world is not the Pokemon World*, which seems to be an idyllic semi-socialist society since Pokemon centers provide free medical care, food, and lodging for Pokemon trainers, where one is free to pursue the nebulous dream of being a Pokemon master. In the real world, many, even within a supposedly "prosperous" capitalist society, struggle to finance basic amenities such as housing, food, transportation, person hygiene goods, and medical care. Many endure the moil under the drudgery of working under humiliating conditions, being subordinate to an unsympathetic, vindictive supervisors and managers, while performing work that primarily serves the interests of capital owners and being unappreciated (and even scorned) by the rest of society.

Since I am a female, I have the propensity to act as a nurturing mother who protects her children from material hardship and deleterious social influences. One obligation that socialist parents and siblings have for younger children is protect and inoculate them from the pervasive virulent memes of bourgeois and reactionary (like anti-feminism) culture so they would not eventually harbor the sentiment, attitudes, and values necessary for the acceptance of the system. As a revolutionary socialist, my conviction to the cause of revolution ultimately emanates from an edifice of sympathy, amity, mercy, and benevolence towards the working class. The minds of fledgling socialists cannot be sullied with the fetid miasma from commercial media and popular culture that encourages contempt for the working class, usually by blaming their travails on personal defects such as a lack of intelligence and lack of will to excel academically and occupationally and not on the flaws of the system. This is antithetical to sentiments of benevolence and such contempt for the workers, the victims of exploitation and neglect, preclude one from being a socialist.



*BTW, is Pokemon still popular? I watched a few (English dubbed) episodes > 10 years ago and it was ok for a children's show.

I remember switching elementary schools from Torrance (huge Korean population) to Fresno (white) and being utterly shocked that not that many people watched pokemon or anime there.

[TheGodlessUtopian]

...in regards to Pokemon....

http://luigi-master.deviantart.com/art/Pokemon-IS-Communism-O-58929193

[Grigori]

Subliminal messages work best on a child, be subtle in your teachings. As stated earlier:

Make them watch Batman TAS to show that the state is corrupt

Make them watch Spiderman to show that the news doesn't always tell the truth.

Make them watch XMEN to show that sometimes the majority can be misled into oppressing others.

Make them watch the Hulk to initiate a vague mistrust for the military-industrial establishment.

[Art Vandelay]

Subliminal messages work best on a child, be subtle in your teachings. As stated earlier:

Make them watch Batman TAS to show that the state is corrupt

Make them watch Spiderman to show that the news doesn't always tell the truth.

Make them watch XMEN to show that sometimes the majority can be misled into oppressing others.

Make them watch the Hulk to initiate a vague mistrust for the military-industrial establishment.

Make them watch the smurfs cause there all commies.

[Buttress]

Is it still brainwashing if it is offsetting existing brainwashing? I mean look how early kids are being cultivated into capitalist thinking. They may reject it, but how likely is that when they are being taught how it is not only "good" but a "better" system than communism.

[Black_Rose]

Is it still brainwashing if it is offsetting existing brainwashing? I mean look how early kids are being cultivated into capitalist thinking. They may reject it, but how likely is that when they are being taught how it is not only "good" but a "better" system than communism.

Could you elaborate on what you consider "capitalist thinking"?

I agree with most posters that the best approach is not to explicitly catechize children into being socialists since it would compromise their ability to think critically and renders them ideological automatons. It is best if one becomes a socialist through an intellectual odyssey (it is best if they are guided by a socialist mentor) or through economic necessity by personally suffering through the injustices of capitalism. Since I come from the upper-middle class, the former pertains to me since I was protected from material privation during my childhood and adolescence due to the financial resources available to my parents.

Do not underestimate bourgeois control of culture. Even if you disagree with the approach of direct inculcation, at least protect the children from capitalist values.

[Black_Rose]

Subliminal messages work best on a child, be subtle in your teachings. As stated earlier:

Make them watch Batman TAS to show that the state is corrupt

Make them watch Spiderman to show that the news doesn't always tell the truth.

Make them watch XMEN to show that sometimes the majority can be misled into oppressing others.

Make them watch the Hulk to initiate a vague mistrust for the military-industrial establishment.
Did anyone watch the Japanese YGO 5D's? I think Yusei Fudo is a nice role model for socialist children. He is quite talented at manipulating mechanical devices and dueling. He is quit tacit and stolid, rarely acting on impulse. And he does not arrogantly brag about his accomplishments and abilities or act selfishly since he primarily acts in the best interests of his nakama (friends) whom he shares kizuna (bonds) with them

[tfb]

I haven't read this book, but maybe it's the sort of thing you're looking for: http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Little-Rebels-Collection-Literature/dp/0814757200

[NewLeft]

Don't bother.. Let him enjoy his youth.

[The CPSU Chairman]

Surprised to see people accusing this guy of brainwashing the kid. The kid is being influenced by his surroundings anyway. People are teaching kids one or another form of "values" no matter what, and it largely amounts to the predominant culture and opinions. I don't see anything wrong with trying to teach a kid values superior to what our capitalist, consumerist culture is already teaching him anyway. He can "have his youth" no matter what; teaching him about Communism wouldn't harm that any more than teaching him not to lie, steal or hit other kids would harm it. No one's talking about forcing him to become active in the revolution.

Just think about this: if he doesn't learn about Communism from his Communist brother, who's he gonna learn about it from? Those goddamn omnipresent "it looks nice on paper but it's against human nature" people. I think it'd be nicer to have another Communist out there than another one of those. Doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to still enjoy his youth.

[Buttress]

Could you elaborate on what you consider "capitalist thinking"?
...

Do not underestimate bourgeois control of culture. Even if you disagree with the approach of direct inculcation, at least protect the children from capitalist values.

You said it yourself. The bourgeois controls our cultural norms so children will be innately conditioned to think capitalistically. Now you can offset that by telling them to keep an open mind, but it will be difficult for them to think openly about communism when it is portrayed so frequently in a negative light. I think there needs to be a certain amount of offsetting. Teach them early about communism (if they're interested), honesty and information is the key. Be too vague or "find out for yourself" and they may never do that, or they may be lead into a bourgeois trap.

[Comrade Jandar]

I think we need to refer to our buddy Lenin on this one.

"Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever." - Vladimir Lenin

[Drowzy_Shooter]

I think we need to refer to our buddy Lenin on this one.

"Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a Bolshevik forever." - Vladimir Lenin




The quote gives me chills man, chills...

[El Louton]

Thank you for all the comments and discussion! I've taken it all in and we'll use these answers next time he asks. Thanks Comrades

[TheGodlessUtopian]

The quote gives me chills man, chills...

that is odd because when I read it I was filled with admiration and pride.Hmmm....there might be ideological differences between us.

[robear]

I think the main thing is that you don't take his childhood away. Let him enjoy life. I think the best thing you could do now is just set a good example to your brother. If a question comes up about communism, answer him in a friendly and insightful way. Oh, and I really thought that the idea about watching those cartoons was great.

[NewLeft]

Surprised to see people accusing this guy of brainwashing the kid. The kid is being influenced by his surroundings anyway. People are teaching kids one or another form of "values" no matter what, and it largely amounts to the predominant culture and opinions. I don't see anything wrong with trying to teach a kid values superior to what our capitalist, consumerist culture is already teaching him anyway. He can "have his youth" no matter what; teaching him about Communism wouldn't harm that any more than teaching him not to lie, steal or hit other kids would harm it. No one's talking about forcing him to become active in the revolution.

You're right, but I'm not sure if scaring his brother or telling his brother to die for the revolution is the best approach.. :confused:

[The CPSU Chairman]

You're right, but I'm not sure if scaring his brother or telling his brother to die for the revolution is the best approach.. :confused:

Huh? :confused:

[El Louton]

Thanks for the response. I'm still waiting for the right moment. It'll come one day.

[OHumanista]

Surprised to see people accusing this guy of brainwashing the kid. The kid is being influenced by his surroundings anyway. People are teaching kids one or another form of "values" no matter what, and it largely amounts to the predominant culture and opinions. I don't see anything wrong with trying to teach a kid values superior to what our capitalist, consumerist culture is already teaching him anyway. He can "have his youth" no matter what; teaching him about Communism wouldn't harm that any more than teaching him not to lie, steal or hit other kids would harm it. No one's talking about forcing him to become active in the revolution.

Just think about this: if he doesn't learn about Communism from his Communist brother, who's he gonna learn about it from? Those goddamn omnipresent "it looks nice on paper but it's against human nature" people. I think it'd be nicer to have another Communist out there than another one of those. Doesn't mean he wouldn't be able to still enjoy his youth.

I couldn't agree more with this. Teach and explain, there is no need to "force" anything. It's important for a kid to have a "shield" against the worst kind of propaganda he will find in the world. There's no need to go into deep theory or anything, just the basics and then let the child sort it out.

[Drowzy_Shooter]

that is odd because when I read it I was filled with admiration and pride.Hmmm....there might be ideological differences between us.


No, that was supposed to be a good quote. Lenin is so true on that quote in that the education of a nation truly affects the outcome of said nation. As quite evident in america.

[Lea Trompsky]

Just live by example. If he sees you sharing what you have, treating people well, being encouraged to ask questions etc... That will rub off on him. When he asks you why you do these things explain your ideology. You don't have to use political terms. If he truly is clever he will see the contradictions in the world of capitalism and how you live. He will then really be armed to make decisions for himself.

This is what has always worked with me.