Future Kappa

[KAPPAtivating]

How do you all feel when you see children participating in step-shows throwing signs and what not? Do you feel that is okay? In my opinion, I don't see anything wrong with the young lad in the video. It reminds me of me and my neice. Since she could speak, I have taught her the "pretty on my left..." chant. Not for her to be "pro" XYZ org., but rather to get her on her way to being confident. If the child is handling business in school (and can recite ABC's as well), then I don't see a problem.

[ladygreek]

Originally Posted by KAPPAtivating

How do you all feel when you see children participating in step-shows throwing signs and what not?

I don't like that either. IMO, there is a sense of entitlement or obligation being instilled that may not play out so cute in the fuuture.

[f8nacn]

From a GDI perspection...what happens if they choose another organization or no organization when they are older...

[KalistheniKs]

Originally Posted by f8nacn

From a GDI perspection...what happens if they choose another organization or no organization when they are older...

Then thats their decision, when it comes time to make a choice at least they will have some knowledge about greek life. I wouldnt mind if my son choose another org as long as he did it RIGHT and it wasnt iota .

I like the video, its kool as long as they arent singing the songs and throwing up the hand signs when they are 12.

[RitaMae1908]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I don't like that either. IMO, there is a sense of entitlement or obligation being instilled that may not play out so cute in the fuuture.

True enough... ultimately I feel like if you to force it on the kids too early and at such a young age they'll either turn in the opposite direction and pledge a different org just to spite you (for dressing them in ABC org colors everyday) or get burned out on the whole idea of greeklife and not pledge at all, which is fine... but I understand the whole wanting to keep up the tradition.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by KAPPAtivating

How do you all feel when you see children participating in step-shows throwing signs and what not? Do you feel that is okay? In my opinion, I don't see anything wrong with the young lad in the video. It reminds me of me and my neice. Since she could speak, I have taught her the "pretty on my left..." chant. Not for her to be "pro" XYZ org., but rather to get her on her way to being confident. If the child is handling business in school (and can recite ABC's as well), then I don't see a problem.

In a step show, I still don't appreciate a child doing my handsign or call because she's not a member. Period.

What I'm steadfast on is a child not doing the handsign or call at random moments in life. For instance, my niece's mom is an Old School AKA who will throw up the pinky in a minute. Just this past week, that child sat in her mom's truck and threw up the new school (as my sis-in-law dubs it) ivy hand sign. Mom wasn't bothered, but I know I was.

Chants are cute and aren't so harmful, as long as they're pride in the org, not dissing other orgs. Just don't do the call.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

In a step show, I still don't appreciate a child doing my handsign or call because she's not a member. Period.

What I'm steadfast on is a child not doing the handsign or call at random moments in life. For instance, my niece's mom is an Old School AKA who will throw up the pinky in a minute. Just this past week, that child sat in her mom's truck and threw up the new school (as my sis-in-law dubs it) ivy hand sign. Mom wasn't bothered, but I know I was.

Chants are cute and aren't so harmful, as long as they're pride in the org, not dissing other orgs. Just don't do the call.

i feel the same way soror. my sister (who is college aged) will throw up our sign and purposely screw up our call because she thinks its funny that members get so excited over what WE worked so hard for. as a neo i was like "she's just jealous, its not that big of a deal" but now im like "know ya role miss."

and i recall a soror's daughter who throws up the sign and call like it's hers (she's like 9-10 y/o) and soror does nothing about it. she thinks its cute. now i respect deference like the next humble greek, but really... it makes me a little sad that this girl just be eee-yippin like it's her birfday.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by tld221

i recall a soror's daughter who throws up the sign and call like it's hers (she's like 9-10 y/o) and soror does nothing about it. she thinks its cute. now i respect deference like the next humble greek, but really... it makes me a little sad that this girl just be eee-yippin like it's her birfday.

That is *not* cute at all.... Soror needs to school her legacy.

My niece knows she better not think to play with my sign or call. I've always told her it's for "duly inducted members only". The sad thing is it didn't click for her until she was able to see my sorors and myself win first place in the alumni step show. I wish it would make sense with a community service project, but I know she's finding a parallel in her own life because she was stepping in elementary school.

BTW, for anyone still thinking it's not a big deal, consider this. My niece, who I honestly love and adore, answered the phone when I called my sis-in-law (AKA) to wish her Happy Founders Day. My niece asked me, "Aren't you going to wish me a Happy Founders Day?" Just big and bold like it was really her Founders Day, too! Never mind that she hadn't given the phone to her mom yet.

I had to gently advise the overeager one, "Not until you're a duly inducted member of Alpha Kappa Alpha. Until then, just enjoy knowing that you know it's Founders Day." She was mad, but I'm hoping she learned something.

[Obligato]

Okay, referring back to the main topic, which is the posted video of the young cat performing a "chant": I'm not saying "What's the big deal?" because I understand all posted perspectives, but these kids (the boy and the girl) are [I'm assuming] under the age of 6! Why are some of us so defensive?; as if they're really going to wake up tomorrow in a dormitory, hit the Yard, and start joinin' in with the Kappas or Deltas, respectively. If someone refers to a child as a "Mini-whatever" or "Future This", do we have to be so critical and analytical? There is no threat to any esoterical contents of the organization! Nobody ever wore their parents work clothes when they were younger? Did you almost get destroyed because you did not take the MCat but you had on Mama's white coat? Or when Pop said, "There go my future lawyer," did people say there is no such thing because that little girl didn't complete Law school? Come on nah folks, let's just enjoy the videos!

[jojapeach]

^^^ You must be out of your raggedy skull coming in with TWO posts in 18 months (it's up above) trying to redirect somebody's convo, especially when our comments are related. If you don't understand what our big deal, just ask without trying to be smart about it...because you weren't.

It is one thing when a 3 or 4 year old is doing it because they really don't understand what they're doing.

It's another thing when an older child continues to do it and eventually starts to believe and expect that XYZ is already theirs by right for the claiming because Mommy/Daddy/etc is in XYZ. In fact, too many kids today see it as a right, not a privilege or honor that it is. The kids probably don't have the first understanding of any behind-the-scenes elements, i.e. the community service, the 2 hour plus meetings to stay organized, that members are very aware of. IMO, it's a shame when some of our fellow Greeks only expose their sons, daughters, etc. to the fun side but not the business side.

Therefore, your analogy of preparing them for a future profession that anyone has a right to pursue and expect to be doesn't quite compare to a child already believing that s/he can rep for a D9 org.
So, I can't speak for my soror, but I know I have more issue with the adults themselves, not the children.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

^^^ You must be out of your raggedy skull coming in with TWO posts in 18 months (it's up above) trying to redirect somebody's convo, especially when our comments are related. If you don't understand what our big deal, just ask without trying to be smart about it...because you weren't.

Plus he's a member of Kappa Kappa Psi. Not a BGLO and not in the NPHC. An honorary band fraternity. Ha!

LOL. I've NEVER seen an aspirant of any age for that organization. Of course he'd be thrilled if a child cared enough to mimic WHATEVER they are known for. Whatever it is. ()