Would You Take Your Kid to Occupy Wall Street?

Photo: David Shankbone/Creative Commons

I've written before about why it's perfectly normal for kids to get involved in politics and activism, but that we should try to encourage critical thinking and independence - not just raise children who mirror our own views of the world. But much like talking to your kids about religion, that can be a tricky plank to walk.

So what then do we make of reports like this one, in the Huffington Post, that the "Children's Brigade" have joined the ranks of Occupy Wall Street:

After an afternoon of speeches in Union Square that focused on educational freedom for college students, the 99% School conducted its own march to Foley Square. "We're here to show that college isn't separate from K-12 education, it's all connected," said Marissa Torres, a fifth-grade teacher at Brooklyn's P.S. 261 and an organizer of the march. According to Torres, teachers and students from at least 15 schools participated.

As the group marched down a chilly Broadway, they were led by a sprinkling of children banging on small drums surrounded by adults. They were almost matched in number by cops on motorcycles and on foot. Some parents brought strollers and carried babies. "The parents are unstoppable, another world is possible," they yelled.

Much like the numerous kids seen at Tea Party rallies, it is inevitable that children who are exposed to Occupy Wall Street through parents, relatives or colleagues will be interested in what is happening - and many are likely to be supportive. Given the impact that our economic crisis, and related austerity measures, have had on all aspects of family life - from job security through education to housing - many kids are desperate to have their voice heard regarding the issues that will impact their future.

But how do we help kids to get involved in political and civil discourse, and to learn how dissent can play a part in a healthy democracy, without simply indoctrinating our own views into those we are teaching? I don't have an exact answer, except to say that treating our children with respect, listening to them, and giving them the tools to view all information critically - both the information we give them as parents and teachers, and the information and values they absorb from the broader culture - will equip them to be active, engaged citizens who can shape the world they want to live in.

Our friends at TreeHugger have already profiled 6 child environmentalists who are actively changing the world. It seems likely that kids will continue to raise their voices and shout for what they believe in. Our role should be to encourage and nurture those voices - but never to control them.

And then, of course, just to muddy the waters, there are reports from Fox News that Occupy Wall Street "Thugs" have been threatening small children - based on an overheard comment from some protesters that they should "follow those kids" through a barricade. Forgive me if I show my biases here, but I suspect that protesters had more important targets than a group of small children. But it does raise an important point about safety at such political events - I started attending political marches in my teens (of my own accord), and more than once was caught up in crowd control situations that could have turned nasty.

So, would you let your kid attend Occupy Wall Street? (Or a Tea Party Rally for that matter.) I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

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