If you have an Alternative lifestyle, how important is to expose DC to Pop culture?

[peanutbutterkid]

We aren't that alternative, but still outside the mainstream. I have friends who raise their DC even more outside the mainstream... some (like us) make an active effort to keep their DC in touch with how other British people usually live, but some don't, they zealously shield their DC from perceived wrong/undesirable mainstream values/habits. I wonder if they're making a mistake, to shield their DC so much.

If you have an alternative lifestyle, do you worry about making sure your DC are still in touch with aspects of popular culture/lifestyleyou dislike, or do you think it's better to shelter them as much as possible for as long as possible?

[cyberseraphim]

I don't know the answer but i suppose the issues are same for most parents. What is 'mainstream' though and what is 'alternative' though ?

[cyberseraphim]

too many thoughs above....

[Mercy]

Can you describe what sort of things you mean, ie, your lifestyle?

[solidgoldbrass]

Depends very much on the age of your DC. The older they get, the less you should be restricting and controlling their behaviour anyway. Remember that they have a right to their own opinions just as much as you do. If you don't want, for instance, a television in the house then it's up to you, but don't punish them for watching TV at other people's houses, discuss why you think certain things are bad rather than just banning them.

[lulumama]

i think there are so many variations on mainstream and alternative that it is hard to answer...

some people consider recycling to be alternative, whereas others would consider nothing less than living in a yurt, with everything powered by wind , alternative

i thikn even mainstream parents pick and choose what their children are exposed to

[Overmydeadbody]

give us more examples of the 'alternative' or non mainstream lifestyle you and your friends follow and what sort of things they shield them from?

DS and I live a bit of an alternative lifestyle, but mixed in with lots of popular culture and still fitting with our times.

'Sheltering' children doesn't usually protect them in the long run. Just makes it more likely they will be social misfits as adults.

[Overmydeadbody]

solidgoldbrass made some very good points. I would start to question my own parenting if it actually meant stopping DS doing things he wanted to do or taking away his right to choose for himself and make his own life choices.

[cyberseraphim]

I think it is best to give an example than to lecture/drone on. There is no point in telling the DCs that it is nice to help others if they never see you doing it in real life.

[Podmog]

Message withdrawn

[nailpolish]

i think a definition of alternative is needed

alternative to what? so many people these days try to be different - they end up being the same

having an internet connection isnt exactly alternative now is it

i think its importnat to teach your children right from wrong as oppiosed to beliefs

[filthymindedvixen]

we are not alternative but I am a bit of a hippy and I have certain values etc which I'm keen for my children to understand and respect - even if they don't share them. So we talk a lot about stuff; politics, religion, society, consumerism etc.

As an example, I am particularly proud that they have been away to their auntie's this week who will give them anything they want. Ds1 (ages 10) told her :''Mum doesn't like us to have coke. I do like it but I know it's bad for me. So I'll have some because you have bought it for me but...'' and proceded to lecture my poor sis on the evils of the Coca Cola Corporation, including the (alleged) way they leech local water supplies from communities for use in their factories...


You cannot shelter them, but you can talk to them from a surprisingly early age.

[TheLadyofShalott]

Interesting that you ban ANTM - I don't know how old your DCs are, but actually watching & talking about it with an intelligent parent would probably be the best way to put a teenager off that kind of lifestyle - it's really so easy to show them the downside of the whole thing, just from what happens on screen - DD & I watch it together with a very cynical eye....

[filthymindedvixen]

It's like Macdonalds. We didn't actively take them but we didn't ban it as this would have alienated them from their peers. But they learned a little about advertising and manipulation, and childhood obesity and decided for themselves there were other places they'd rather go with foos they liked better. (that and laughing about the ''evil clown'' when the ads come on )

[Oliveoil]

good lord, if my children lectured my sister on the evils of coke, they wouldn't be invited again!

[filthymindedvixen]

she thought it was very funny. And then rang me to ask if it was true about osteoporosis and fizzy drinks...

[Overmydeadbody]

is there even such a thing as @alternative@ these days?


It would seem everyone and their dog think they are doing things differently, but it's never actually that different or alternative or unique, not in today's society.

[ThePettyandIllinformedGoat]

my dd doesn't even know what coke or macdonalds are? am i alternative? that would be like so totally cool!

[filthymindedvixen]

is she 3 months old... or do you live on Eigg?

[ThePettyandIllinformedGoat]

she is 4 1/2 and no i live in edinburgh. maybe she is just really dumb!

[Kewcumber]

yurts are very nice.

[filthymindedvixen]

I think having a goat for a parent is pretty alternative and like, way cool...

[Overmydeadbody]

Goat my DS doesn't know what Macdonald's is, and doesn't know what chikcen nuggets are either, he has simply not come across them yet.

He's 5. I certainly haven't gone out of my way to shelter him from it, he just hasn't been exposed to mcD's yet

[Bluestocking]

My DS is 4.5 and doesn't know about MacDonalds - he does know about Coke but he thinks it is called "Daddy's nasty drink". Am I alternative? It would indeed be so totally cool.