Prodigy, product of propaganda, or....? 10 yr old refuses to say Pledge of Allegiance

[epchick]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

And this would be one of those "something more" kind of instances. To me, this doesn't sound like you think people should stand out of respect to the others around them who are standing, it sounds like people should stand out of respect for soldiers.

You are correct, I don't think that students need to stand up out of respect for their fellow students. I wouldn't do it for that reason, so why should I expect my students to do it? It is out of respect for the soldiers, past and present.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by epchick

You are correct, I don't think that students need to stand up out of respect for their fellow students. I wouldn't do it for that reason, so why should I expect my students to do it? It is out of respect for the soldiers, past and present.

I have to say, though, that until your posts on the subject, I've never heard anyone draw a connection between the Pledge and showing respect for soldiers/veterans. I'm not saying it's an improper connection to draw, necessarily, but I've never heard it before.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

I have to say, though, that until your posts on the subject, I've never heard anyone draw a connection between the Pledge and showing respect for soldiers/veterans. I'm not saying it's an improper connection to draw, necessarily, but I've never heard it before.

Really? I grew up in a military town, and that was a connection that was ALWAYS made.

The one JW kid in my class throughout middle school stayed sitting down, but he wasn't reading or doing any work. It's like 30 seconds long so probably not that big of a deal.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Really? I grew up in a military town, and that was a connection that was ALWAYS made.

Really, and I've got 40+ years of saying the Pledge under my belt. In my experience, the respect shown in saying the Pledge has been completely related to the flag and to the country.

Mileages do vary, I guess.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Really, and I've got 40+ years of saying the Pledge under my belt. In my experience, the respect shown in saying the Pledge has been completely related to the flag and to the country.

Mileages do vary, I guess.

Exactly. I wasn't questioning your experience. I figured that while my experience may have been unique, having grown up in a heavily military area (5 installments within an hour's drive), it was far from rare.

[DrPhil]

After Sept. 11, saying the Pledge and singing The Star Spangled Banner has often been considered in honor of the troops; and a show of solidarity against terrorism.

This has almost always been the case for the SSB, though.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

After Sept. 11, saying the Pledge and singing The Star Spangled Banner have often been considered in honor of the troops; and a show of solidarity against terrorism.

In some groups, I'm sure this is the case. Not among all. My son has been saying the Pledge for the last 6 years in school and the last 5 years in Scouts. I can vouch for the fact that a specific connection between the Pledge and honoring the troops (or solidarity against terrorism) has never been drawn in Scouts, and based on conversations with my son, I don't think it has at schooln either.

And maybe I just live in a different world (no comments, please ), but it's never been my experience with the SSB either. In my experience, both the Pledge and the SSB are about country. While veterans are certainly part of the country's history (and present), I've never considered that we honor them -- at least not directly -- through the Pledge or the national anthem. We honor the country they served.