Why do we value "innocence" in children?

[Kadarin]

I had originally posted this on a different forum, but think it might get more exposure here:

Here's a question: Why is "innocence" considered a virtue that must be preserved until full legal adulthood? Innocence equates with lack of experience, and sometimes experience is good because it prepares you for dealing with complex situations.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that inflicting undeserved suffering on someone is wrong. I am simply asking why "innocence" is valued.

 

[her209]

I guessing its a religion thing.

 

[TridenT]

Because people like being clueless and ignorant.

 

[drum]

Hey this thread isn't complaining about the new forums. this is an outrage!

We want to insulate them from the harsh reality that is everyday life as long as possible as we know it will inevitably come for them

 

[destrekor]

my avatar!

ooooo

innocence is bullshit. But just dumping a child into a rough life with no reigns on 'em is also not a good approach. Carefully modulated.

The banning of child labor was the start of innocence as a quality. Kids are very capable at quite a young age, but are kept artificially immature by being forced to simply be leeches. Some are apt to want to break from that, others don't understand why they cannot be leeches forever.

Labor as a child awakens the youthful mind.

Our kids have gained nothing, and been forced into an immature mindset, from being protected from the world for 16 years. In fact, they are part of the problem our education system is falling in the ranks in comparisons to other countries.
Child labor isn't the only thing, as other countries continue to keep it barred. Just the general practice of guarding the youth from the "evils" of the world. Like drinking and drugs and the streets and not allowing them to walk to play grounds and all these things.

Kids are kept so closely guarded here in the US it's sickening. I was fortunate to not have to deal with that, was given a ton of freedom and am a better individual for it. Sure have failed a shitton of times, but it builds character. :biggrin:

 

[lokiju]

Do you have a kid?

Honest question.

I have a 4 month old and he lives his life full of innocent observations on a daily basis.

It's the most enjoyable and heart warming thing to just sit there and watch him try and figure things out that are new to him, which is everything.

That being the case I can at least understand why some would like to let a child live in that kind of world for as long as they can.

I'd assume it's mostly parents that see the world for how it is and see that their child does not and doesn't want to "burden" (for lack of a better word) them with the harsh realities any sooner than need be.

Of course there are those that I'm sure would be content to shield their child for way more than is logical to do so, but I can understand it to an extent.

$00.02

 

[NFS4]

 

[Kadarin]

I guessing its a religion thing.

Even Christianity has been around for almost 2000 years, and this concept of wanting to shield children from the "harsh reality of life" is something historically relatively new. I suspect something else is at work, and it may have to do with mass media. Note that modern "helicopter parents" are sometimes afraid to let kids to their own devices for fear that some child predator will abduct them. The 24hr news cycle sensationalizes anything bad that happens, so people assume that really bad things will happen all the time.

 

[Kadarin]

Do you have a kid?

Honest question.

Honest answer: I do not. If I did, I think I would have better insight on this phenomenon. Instead, however, I have to draw on my own experiences growing up as a child.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Interesting question. her209's answer may have some relevance. In christianity Jesus says that "to enter heaven, one must be like a child" or something to that extent. (took some alot of religion classes).
IMO- Many things are better not left to the imagination of a child. I think it is best that they know the truth rather than them trying to figure it out on their own and getting it wrong.
Example: death. alot of people dont take their young kids to funerals so as to protect them. I think they are missing a prime oportunity to teach them about the value of life.
As long as a parent is truthful and answers questions honestly, and answers in a language easily understood by a child, I do not think that any real harm can truely be done.
Innocence = Immaturity

 

[Cattlegod]

ignorance is bliss

innocence = ignorance

innocence = bliss

 

[IGBT]

because their mind is a work in progress and development. their children, they haven't grown up yet.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Innocence is valued because it allows for learning a greater perspective i.e. "there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosphy."

The average ATOTer loves to hate on anything that can't be measured or replicated but, they fail to appreciate half the world. I would go so far as to label such "realists" as handicapped.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

You sound like some kind of serial pedo. "Why do we value a child's innocence?" WTF?

 

[nageov3t]

it makes them taste better.

 

[surfsatwerk]

OP needs to quit trying to justify his candy van lifestyle.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You'd prefer that all children were cynical, distrusting, bastards?

 

[Kadarin]

You sound like some kind of serial pedo. "Why do we value a child's innocence?" WTF?

OP needs to quit trying to justify his candy van lifestyle.

It's a sociological question, you dumbfucks. I'm raising it as a matter of legitimate discussion.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

You'd prefer that all children were cynical, distrusting, bastards?

Misery loves company.

 

[Bryophyte]

We have our whole lives to deal with the harsh realities of the world. Why not preserve a period of innocence when they are too young to do anything about the bullshit that adults have to deal with? The world is an ugly place and it is a wonderous place. Let them focus on the wonder while they are little. The ugly will still be there later.

 

[Kadarin]

You'd prefer that all children were cynical, distrusting, bastards?

No. However, I think you're looking at the issue only in terms of extremes. A child can either be only innocent, naive, and inexperienced, or the other end of the spectrum in being cynical and distrusting. I would posit that as the universe gradually grows around a child as he or she grows up, it can do so in a positive way if the child is allowed to grow with positive influences. Negative situations will always come up, but if they're dealt with in a positive way the child will gain experience while losing "innocence" and have it be a good thing.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

No. However, I think you're looking at the issue only in terms of extremes. A child can either be only innocent, naive, and inexperienced, or the other end of the spectrum in being cynical and distrusting. I would posit that as the universe gradually grows around a child as he or she grows up, it can do so in a positive way if the child is allowed to grow with positive influences. Negative situations will always come up, but if they're dealt with in a positive way the child will gain experience while losing "innocence" and have it be a good thing.

Children are called children for a reason. What you are suggesting has already been tried. In Elizabethan times, children were viewed as small adults and were horribly exploited. Children simply are not developmentally capable of learning from some experiences.

 

[UpGrD]

This is one the very few instances where I feel comfortable saying, if you don't have you don't know. Once you have a child your view on things change (at least it should). There will come a time when you must let your child see the realities of life, but the innocence of childhood should be respected and most of all protected. And that has nothing to do with religion.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I never understood that either.

Though the nice thing about some of the bad things kids do is it gets themin trouble anyway. For example this stupid kid in my city decided to climb up a hydro pole. Not just any hydro pole, but a freaken disconnect switch! The details were not in the news article but I'm highly guessing he got between the disconnect terminals and the block's power went right through him.

He learned his lesson now. The beauty with that situation is his parents did not have to ground him. I think he grounded himself when he touched the neutral bar. He's now in a wood box 6 feet under. That's what I call discipline at it's best, or "natural selection".

 

[LittleMsSnuggie]

I never really had my innocence as a child. It was taken very early on, by no choice of my own, and I feel duped. It has;however, help me see life in a completely different prospective than that of my sister's, who (for lack of a better word) naturally lost hers. She still lives life with everything handed to her by my parents, as I had to start working for what I've wanted since I was 14.
My life experiences made me want to shelter my kids until they were ready to grow up and face life's harsh realities. I know that isn't realistic in today's world. Kids are having sex, drinking, and doing drugs at a younger and younger age. Unless I am planning on home schooling my children, they are going to face these obstacles whether I like it or not.
There is a difference between being innocent and being overly sheltered and naive to the world.
I feel innocence is a blessing and I think it should be held onto as long as possible.