To not want my family to watch the Olympics ?

[KatieDD]

I want to boycott viewing because I think it's disgusting they were ever given the games and DH has just put the opening ceremony on for the children to see.

[LadyOfWaffle]

Boycotting the games - what will that achieve? Far better to do something proactive about whatever your boycotting the games about, if that makes sense. How old are your children?

[noonki]

I agree it is totally disgusting that they got the games

but not watching them will do nothing... join Free Tibet or amnesty ... write letters to your MP..

but not watching ... the chinese government won't know, your TV viewing won't be recorded by them (or anyone)

[WorzselMummage]

YABU

DD and i had a wonderfull afternoon having a picnic in the living room and watching it, she loved it !

Children don't understand the policial reasons for you not wanting to watch it.

[southeastastra]

wouldn't say disgusting, the chinese people are lovely, didn't you watch chinese school?

[noonki]

of course I am only talking about the government southeastastra!

[OonaghBhuna]

dont agree with Chinas abuse of human rights. HOWEVER.... for the next two weeks its about sport and lots of sport. We get to see so many different sports that we dont normally see. Ask any competitor about their inspiration and I would guess that most of them will say that they saw someone on the tv at the olympics as a child and that was their inspiration to get to the Olympics.This is the time to encourage children to participate in sport especially in the era of obeseity.
I agree with other posters, children dont understand the politics so please let them enjoy the sport, its good for them.

Join relevant support groups that would be a better way of demonstrating your disgust.

[Love2bake]

My SIL is boycotting for the same reason.

I am boycotting because it's bloody boring

[peanutbutterkid]

I disagree with it because all these sports have annual international championships, anyway -- there's no need for the Olympics, its cost, spectacle, damage to environment, hooplah...

But that said, we watched some of the opening ceremony today, because it really was something else, wasn't it?

I would wave a Chinese flag if I were there.. not for the current regime, but as a celebration of the ordinary person who can call themselves Chinese and put on such a fantastic show.

[verylapsedrunner]

....how about watching it to encourage your children to take an interest in sport?....

[S1ur]

Boycotting is meaningless in this context.

Do something. Don't just abstain.

Teach your dcs that people can actually do something about the things that make them angry.

[allgonebellyup]

lovetobake - "bloody boring" ??

God, do you get your kicks making cupcakes then???

i dont know what could be more exciting than watching the world's best atheletes competing together.

[Love2bake]

Whats cupcakes got to do with it

But sorry yes, do think the Olympics is boring.....

[HonoriaGlossop]

agree with you allgone!

I think personally that it's so lovely for kids to have the opportunity to watch the olympics and they don't come along that often. I was inspired by the olympics to become a school gymnast and though I say so myself I was rather good and it was a HUGE part of my childhood, so I know how important watching sport can be.

I also think it's important to watch so that you CAN start a conversation about china, it's govt and human rights record; the kids will be more likely to listen and take it in, if they've seen it IMO.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

YABU - do something proactive instead..opening ceremony was stunningly good and ds loved it

[OonaghBhuna]

Rowing has been a Huge part of my life, watching Redgrave in Sydney, Pinsent in Athens and now Kath Grainger in China, an inspiration......All important to watch....

HG I did gymnastics as a child the tv was the only place to see the talent....I was ok not talented :0 I will be watching it all with both dds.

[southeastastra]

i still haven't seen any of it. there will probably be highlights on tonight

[HonoriaGlossop]

I still remember the absolute excitement if there was gymnastics on the telly Oonagh! No sports channel when I was little - will completely show my age when I tell you my inspiration was Nadia Comaneci in the 1976 Olympics

and yes, the rowing has been thrilling at the olympics...no more steve now though....

Don't know if I will be able to follow my own advice re watcging though - DS has become feral this holiday and spends all day in garden/at beach, can't get him to sit down and watch tv at all...which is normally fine...

[2shoes]

yanbu

[twinsetandpearls]

We are watching the opening ceremony dd has just said it is better them disney can we go! I feel a bit dirty watching it tbh.

[bunchoflowers]

Of course it's disgusting they got the games, but plenty of outrageous, unjust things happen all the time, in England, in the work place, in schools, in families, in the law courts. Bullying and brutality are all around us, so why suddenly stop your family from having a bit of fun because of what's happenning in China?

Think about all the domestic violence that goes on, how about all those children in care homes, child abuse, Indian women committing suicide or even being murdered by their brutalised families. Even female circumcision. In ye olde England!! Why is there not uproar over these everday atrocities which happpen in our own country?

Just my 2 pence worth!!

[harpsichordcarrier]

actually I don't think boycotting is meaningless tbh.
If you want your children to understand why you feel stringly about it, then that is a useful thing for them to learn, that as a matter of principle you don't want anything to do with that appalling regime and the kind of torture, violence and death occurring every day.
good for children to know their parents have strong views about things. it helps build political awareness in children and helps them to understand more about the world and reduce apathy.
imo.

[southeastastra]

i do really feel for the chinese though, watching the chinese school and how excited the children were about the olympics makes me view it in a different light.

the chinese has a great history, i'm glad they've got the games

[OonaghBhuna]

Harpsichord, I do agree but this is about sport, its not fair to take politics and abuse out on sport there are other places to do this.
Otherwise we would have to boycott all sporting events. We need sport in our lives, its important for our children and their futures.

[harpsichordcarrier]

god I really disagree. it is not about "politics" - "politics" is not some separate issue, that you can consider separately fromt he rest of life.
it is about human life, and human rights. I can't imagine that sport could somehow trump human rights.
that's my bias, obv.