When you were a child, say, 8-12 years old, did your family or maybe even your friends accuse you of "having an answer for everything"? Being very opinionated? Was this something that was promoted or looked down upon in your household(s)? Were children meant to be seen and not heard in your experiences?
When I was growing up kids were seen and not heard. The adults did their thing, and we kids were to go away and play. With my own kids it is different. They have an opinion, and they have a right to be heard. But if they want to be taken seriously, they better get their opinions across respectfully, and maturely. Otherwise, there will be problems.
Hm I wonder how much of this is a product of geography and your location and how much is dependent upon parenting styles yes, as was I, more by my father though, interesting to examine gender roles and how they connect to the idea
when I was a kid my parents taught me the whole "children are to be seen and not heard" philosophy. I just went outside and played and let my parents and their friends do what they did. now that I'm older people say I'm opionated and act like I know everything though... but the weird thing is my little brother was brought up pretty much the opposite of how I was (there's a pretty big age difference).
If "an answer for everything" also means being a smartass then yes. Everyone in my family is. Not to the point of disrespect it was always in good humor.. still is.
Yeah I guess to an extent this is what I meant. I was curious how people felt about the idea that adults often attempt to silence children under the guise that they are talkative and obnoxious, when in reality they have contributions like everyone else
Not at all they were strict to a degree but If I was a smart ass to them they would just be a smart ass back. Unless I was being a smart ass at an inapporiate time.
Ya my mom would push me into situations where I had to be social with people much older than I was.. Probably why when I'm near adults idk I'm very well spoken and have heavy opinions BUT I've also learned thanks to my mom to listen. And comprehend. And to use a variety of verbal tools during communication that just come naturally to me now
haha... yes good listening skills are also essential and probably easier to develop when not running your mouth off
Kids were definitely heard in my house. I don't think my 11 year old sister says yes to anything WITHOUT giving her opinion.
hmm after thinking about it more I guess the idea of children being heavily censored is outdated, no longer in existing in the culture I live in
Same here but I guess that's what the past generations hated about their parents so they allowed their kids to voice their opinions. At least that's what my dad told me. He never talked back or said anything or else Gramz would come in with her wooden spoon and smack him with it. One time she broke it on him she hit him so hard hahahah.
I couldn't be this way around my mother, but I could around my father (if mother wasn't around), and my grandmother had a pretty good sense of humor as well. It was intelligent humor, imo. More like witty comebacks with good timing than being a "smart ass". I imagine this to be the case with you and your family.
EVERYONE in my family is a smart ass and thats including my moms side and my dads side. I love it but it can get annoying.
I was an only child. So I pretty much grew up being taking the "observer" roll in life. Always asking questions, always sitting back and inspecting the situation.
My father always had the famous line in a rebuttal with me."you don't know everything". Etc. I was always well opinionated but you better believe my father kept those and other false beliefs in line. I thank him for it to this day. He taught me right and wrong but gave me the ability to discern what that was for myself. That's why I consider and strive to be a moralistic person but, I'm never closed minded. The main thing my father installed in me was RESPECT. Which is something I think everyone in society and outside, should have brought up with.