Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

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 09:03

FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 08:55

The US Government. The Indian removal act of 1830 most significantly. ‘Soldiers and Indians’ would be more accurate. There short period in the mid to late 19th century where cattle was being driven cross country and yes cowboys would have sometimes encountered native American settlements in the process but it was not the genocide you’re thinking of. Cowboys in that time were also a pretty diverse bunch including Native American, Mexican, African American men.

Hollywood and the 1950s westerns is to blame for most of the misconceptions!

Show quote history

Thank you for educating me.

OP posts:
frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:04

Favourite book character?
But not captain hook?

atsusnaiboyz · 04/12/2022 09:05

Harry Potter is witchcraft. If you're so inclined. Would not think it would be a safe choice.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:07

atsusnaiboyz · 04/12/2022 09:05

Harry Potter is witchcraft. If you're so inclined. Would not think it would be a safe choice.

Ok not Harry Potter then. I know there's been a whole JK Rowling issue too

OP posts:
DiddlyDoris · 04/12/2022 09:08

I want your life of this is the kinda thing you have to get worked up about 😂

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:08

This is the problem with knowing very little about a subject but jumping to a self righteous position based on what others think.

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:09

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:07

Ok not Harry Potter then. I know there's been a whole JK Rowling issue too

Show quote history

What JK Rowling thing?

It might be good to link to what she actually said?

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:11

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:09

What JK Rowling thing?

It might be good to link to what she actually said?

Show quote history

I don't know. But some people are pissed off with her for some reason or other

OP posts:
FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 09:11

Under the sea? Bit too close to the little mermaid and she gives up her voice to blag a man

Favourite book character? Ugh we already world book day and that’s bad enough and what if someone comes as Captain Hook

Harry Potter? The witchcraft, JK Rowling herself

Cats? Lots of people are allergic

Animals? What if one kid dresses as a dog and another kid has a phobia

You can find fault with any theme if you try hard enough 😂

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:12

FlounderingFruitcake · 04/12/2022 09:11

Under the sea? Bit too close to the little mermaid and she gives up her voice to blag a man

Favourite book character? Ugh we already world book day and that’s bad enough and what if someone comes as Captain Hook

Harry Potter? The witchcraft, JK Rowling herself

Cats? Lots of people are allergic

Animals? What if one kid dresses as a dog and another kid has a phobia

You can find fault with any theme if you try hard enough 😂

Hahahaha so true.

OP posts:
frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:12

Maybe you should do some first hand research about all these subjects you admittedly know nothing about?

Might be better than just assuming it's all Inappropriate?

atsusnaiboyz · 04/12/2022 09:13

Animals. Predator vs prey. Really not a good idea.

WeepingSomnambulist · 04/12/2022 09:15

Did you know that gambling wasnt allowed on most pirate ships? Unlike the royal navy.

Pirates actually did follow a pretty strong code of conduct whilst out robbing ships.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:15

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:12

Maybe you should do some first hand research about all these subjects you admittedly know nothing about?

Might be better than just assuming it's all Inappropriate?

Why? If other people are offended by it then that's reaspn enough?

OP posts:
catandcoffee · 04/12/2022 09:16

You're very much over thinking this.

Being a pirate is all about reading the map and locating the treasure.

AllyCatTown · 04/12/2022 09:17

Cats? What if there’s a mouse in the house. Carnage.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:19

catandcoffee · 04/12/2022 09:16

You're very much over thinking this.

Being a pirate is all about reading the map and locating the treasure.

Ah fair enough. Like an Easter egg hunt

OP posts:
frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:19

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:15

Why? If other people are offended by it then that's reaspn enough?

Show quote history

Perfect logic.

JustFrustrated · 04/12/2022 09:21

IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:15

Why? If other people are offended by it then that's reaspn enough?

Show quote history

No it's not..

Other people's offence doesn't mean they're right. At all.

Everyone has different standards.

I may find it offensive that people think it's okay to go as pop stars to a party because I think the music is awful and the lyrics misogynistic trope that encourages violence against women and girls, gun crime and a fast fashion society that is killing our earth.....

Whilst actually, that is correct, my offence doesn't mean anyone else should change to prevent that.

Original poster
IAmTi · 04/12/2022 09:22

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:19

Perfect logic.

Show quote history

It's a kids birthday party. Not the time to discuss what it is or isn't jk Rowling has done to offend people.

OP posts:
Beanbagtrap · 04/12/2022 09:22

Everyone loves a good pillage don't they?

frenchnoodle · 04/12/2022 09:23

It's an imaginary party you made up as a theme. It's a perfect time for anything. You could fly of you wanted to.

marrymeadam · 04/12/2022 09:27

I'm just off to tell my daughter she can't be in the pantomime of treasure island any more... ffs

Herja · 04/12/2022 09:29

I like pirates. I studied them in my history degree. They were given a bad press, then romanticised later, but most of our ideas are made up, or belong to a period of around 40 years only. Egalitarian, keen to avoid fighting wherever possible (easier to look scary than fight), looked out for each other, believed in decent, fair conditions for the crew. Raping referers to theft, not the modern understanding. Much more reasonable than the navy in most directions, they just weren't keen on paying taxes.

QS90 · 04/12/2022 09:42

Check out the cartoon "Pirates Ahoy!!" I think this is the sort of thing a lot of children have in their heads when they think of pirates these days. Could not be anymore twee and innocent.

You're right though, now that I'm thinking about it. It is a bit odd! 😂