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?

im sorry cos i forgot your big family and dds wheelchair!

poor OP will come back from yurt-knitting summer school to find out we've long-since got bored.

the festie thing's not that weird, true, more of an example of how i worry my kids don't have a lot of common ground with the others in their year because i'd rather stick pins in my eyes than sit on a beach in majorca for 2 weeks. although ds's doctor who obsession does seem to give him enough of a talking point with his mates for now

we are off to solfest weekend after next

My ASD 4 year old does not really 'know' what McDonalds is but as his language and understanding is coming on so much it can only be a matter of time. I would love it if he could say 'Big Mac and Fries please' but then you really are alternative if you are autistic.
But he doesn't know people think he is different so it's not a lifestyle for him.

LOL, Looks like thread took off even without me being specific (haven't read it all, yet). I didn't want to be specific because it could sound like criticism of minor choices, and respondents get caught up in the details when thinking to comment, when what I'm getting at is a big picture. It's never just one thing, it's a collection of choices, and if I'm too specific the people I'm thinking of might even recognise themselves here. I'm not out to criticise them, but I half-worry they are shielding their kids too much from mainstream.

And mostly they're all people who very much opt out of pop culture, so they don't follow Big Brother, don't follow any Big sports, don't care or know what is fashionable, don't even know what Angeline Jolie looks like (I don't). I never would have heard of High School Musical except that the girls in DS's class went on about it so much he now declares he hates it (but neither of us have a clue what it's like, is it like Fame?).

I know a couple who talked their DC into thinking they don't like children's TV, indoor play centres, etc because the parents don't like these places. DH was told as a child that he didn't like all sorts of things, just because his mother didn't like them as an adult he's found he likes all this stuff loads.

Looking back on it now, DH feels he was too controlled sheltered according to his mother's own values.

I don;t think avoiding reality TV, sleb gossip and soft play is alternative. i think it is very sensible

I was brought up by hippies and wolves. I was shunned and shamed by kids at a school quiz because I didn't know what TV programme Hilda Ogden was from. I benefited in the long run.

Of course now, I'm an anti-camping, Heat-reading, TV junkie chocolate quaffer (so much carob as a child...).

I do have a Mooncup though.

i avoid softplay because it makes me recite dante's inferno internally and it smells of old socks. i am WAY out there.

No, not old socks; more hamster piss I think.

i am too alternative to know what bourgeois hamsters' piss smells like.

Hey, my hamsters are imaginary working class hamsters I'll have you know.

that doesn't sound very alternative peanutbutter. Even plenty of 'mainstream' parents probably tell their children they don't like certain things just because they themselves don't like them.

Sensible to avoid soft play

Willself you make me larf

A friend of mine had a mother who wouldn't let him watch ITV because the presenters had the 'wrong' accents and because it was not educational. He is long term unemployed with too many problems to mention. I'm not saying there is a connection just that you can't control how people turn out,

Thanks OMDB

riven you have worried me

Hmm I censor TV (certain programs and channels are banned) and it is limited severely. I also limit computer games and nintendo time. I get to say what meals they eat - eek. Am I really "controlling" in a bad way ?? I thought I was parenting my kids not controlling them that badly?
We are veggie but DD2 eats meat as she loves sausages so try to be flexible. Just a bit fussy on the techy stuff I guess

this is a thread about mundanes and their habits is it

i so love that word/concept

it always makes me think of those bleak futuristic children's novels like the guardians

i think too many people are a;lternative to make it a viable lifestyle identifier these days

My very first live concert was my weirdy beardy dad taking me to see Steeleye Span. Next he took us to see Tom Robinson.

He actually still owns Yes albums...

He rocks.

my kids are all collectively or individually watchers of saturday night tv buyers of designer clothes holidayers in neqwuay etc

bizrrely they were also brought up by me

MUNDANES - i have been trying to think of that word all evening.