Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Pirates - appropriate for kids?

104 replies

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:21

My nephew wants a pirate party - am I alone in thinking this is inappropriate? I know that might sound silly but pirates weren't very nice and modern day piracy is a thing. I may just be overthinking it though and I'd never say anything to my SIL about it.

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:42

FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 07:36

Because pirates aren’t a race? It’s unacceptable to dress up as a Native American obviously but you can very much still buy Cowboy costumes.

Show quote history

But cowboys were responsible for genocide

OP posts:
Campervangirl · 04/12/2022 07:42

Turn up and tell them my favourite pirate joke.
Why are pirates called pirates?
Because they Aaarrrggghhhh.
Say it whilst standing on one leg with one eye closed 😁

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:43

Fooshufflewickjbannanapants · 04/12/2022 07:31

Pirates were actually quite progressive, they believed in democracy and every crew member got a vote. They had everything codified had heath insurance, equal rights regardless of sex/race or religion and they split the booty fairly, they also had a same sex marriage called matelotage. Does that help OP?

Not really they killed loads of people?

OP posts:
Vallmo47 · 04/12/2022 07:43

We should not try to eradicate history, past or present. It’s a dress up party, you are not encouraging the children to be or do anything with it. If anything, it’s a chance to open up a conversation with kids in an age appropriate way that they will understand and likely listen more to. I don’t think there’s any harm in it whatsoever.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:44

Campervangirl · 04/12/2022 07:42

Turn up and tell them my favourite pirate joke.
Why are pirates called pirates?
Because they Aaarrrggghhhh.
Say it whilst standing on one leg with one eye closed 😁

Oh I hadn't even thought about the appropriating a disability angle

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:45

I'm dead against using scars as a costume at haloween but hadn't even thought about the eye patch/amputee thing

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:47

@Vallmo47 He's going to be 7 - do you think that's old enough? How would I start the conversation? Oh maybe I should just leave it and turn up with a gift and help and leave the parenting to the parents.

OP posts:
outcrops · 04/12/2022 07:47

The eyepatch isn’t a disability thing. They wore it so their eyes were continuously adjusted to the lighting

Rainallnight · 04/12/2022 07:48

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 07:38

You can dress up like cowboys, look at Woody...

And no one will be pillaging at a kids party.

Technically, Woody’s a sheriff 😂

Newlifefortyplus · 04/12/2022 07:48

Maybe take your lentil weaving kit as a suitable alternative for the poor children

FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 07:48

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:42

But cowboys were responsible for genocide

Show quote history

Yes not disputing that but surely you can see dressing as an occupation, even one that has a questionable history, is very different to dressing up as an entire race of people… Hence why pirate and cowboy are still popular costumes but ‘Native American person’ absolutely is not. Also cowboys do still exist and unlike modern day pirates it’s all very above board and they work on ranches- there are nearly a million of them according to the US department of agriculture and a third are women.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:49

outcrops · 04/12/2022 07:47

The eyepatch isn’t a disability thing. They wore it so their eyes were continuously adjusted to the lighting

Oh right! Seems I'm going to have to research pirates!

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:50

FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 07:48

Yes not disputing that but surely you can see dressing as an occupation, even one that has a questionable history, is very different to dressing up as an entire race of people… Hence why pirate and cowboy are still popular costumes but ‘Native American person’ absolutely is not. Also cowboys do still exist and unlike modern day pirates it’s all very above board and they work on ranches- there are nearly a million of them according to the US department of agriculture and a third are women.

Show quote history

Oh. I learn so much!

What's the gender neutral term for cowboy? Cowperson?

OP posts:
Ylvamoon · 04/12/2022 07:51

Nothing wrong with romanticiseing the past for our children. Let them have some fun.
They'll learn soon enough how shit humans are to each other.

And Sir Francis Drake was a pirate amoung other things. I always thought he is celebrated in English history.

RobinRobinMouse · 04/12/2022 07:51

I dont really think the party theme choice of your nephew is any of your business. If you don't like it just don't go.

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 07:52

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:47

@Vallmo47 He's going to be 7 - do you think that's old enough? How would I start the conversation? Oh maybe I should just leave it and turn up with a gift and help and leave the parenting to the parents.

My 7 year-old knows pirate were villains who stole and killed from other ships.

That's all they need to know at this age because a lot of kids don't realised pirates are bad.

AWaferThinMint · 04/12/2022 07:53

Aaarrrggghh me hearty. You be a spoilsport. Have some of me rum to get you through.

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 07:54

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:50

Oh. I learn so much!

What's the gender neutral term for cowboy? Cowperson?

Show quote history

A ranch herder....

whattodo1975 · 04/12/2022 07:54

I agree I think it’s highly likely that the kids who attend this party will end up
off the coast of Somalia hijacking oil tankers.

clpsmum · 04/12/2022 07:55

There's always one!

pilates · 04/12/2022 07:56

Overthinking and none of your business.

PhotoDad · 04/12/2022 07:58

Your nephew could surprise everyone at the party by dressing as a Royal Naval officer (smashing uniforms, far more dashing than pirates) and arresting the rest of them, before seizing all their family cars and declaring them Crown Prizes?

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 07:58

Ylvamoon · 04/12/2022 07:51

Nothing wrong with romanticiseing the past for our children. Let them have some fun.
They'll learn soon enough how shit humans are to each other.

And Sir Francis Drake was a pirate amoung other things. I always thought he is celebrated in English history.

He is but he probably shouldn't be

OP posts:
Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 08:00

AWaferThinMint · 04/12/2022 07:53

Aaarrrggghh me hearty. You be a spoilsport. Have some of me rum to get you through.

Ha! Well now I think of it all that alcohol isn't a good look and we probably shouldn't be mocking their accent!

But yeah that's me being a bit silly I guess. Seriously though it's the whole rape and pillage thing that's bothering me.

OP posts:
frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 08:02

The children won't be raping and pillaging.

Swipe left for the next trending thread