New York Teacher Tells Kids There Is No Santa Claus

[DirgeNovak]

I know I won't tell my kids about Santa Claus. And seven is too old to believe in this shit anyway. I figured it out on my own when I was five. A teacher's job is to teach, not to perpetuate myths. Santa is okay for three year olds, but not schoolchildren.

 

[Epona]

Thi might just be me, but the concept of Santa's always disturbed me

If the songs are to be believed, here's what Santa is.

An old man who spies on small children, even when they're sleeping, and then one day during Christmas he breaks into your house, again, WHILE YOU ARE SLEEPING.

Usually this kind of behavior would be met with a restraining order.

Maybe we haven't always lived in a paranoid society. When I was a kid we didn't even lock our doors.

 

[Chaos1228]

This story is appalling,and the replies to this even more so. So what if their 8 and still believe? I stopped at 9. And the teacher had no right to tell her students that Santa isn't real, that's for their parents to discuss.

Also, whats with all this about the parents lying to their kids and kids eventually being "crushed" and creating "distrust"? Sure, Santa is a "lie", but it just make Christmas that much more fun and magical. My greatest Christmas memories were waiting for Santa to come and give me presents. Besides, i realized on my own that Santa doesn't exist, as logic gradually took over. But was i crushed and did i hate my parents? No, and id be surprised to find anyone that did.

Seriously? Since when is a teacher educating their students considered news?

Sure, she "educated" them, but potentially ruined Christmas for them.

I would rather not tell my kids santa is real.

I believe that is the kind of thing that sets up a trip wire for the kids, so when they grow up it seems like the world is less magical, but if they never knew such a thing then they wouldnt have to be upset over a thing like this.

So don't let them be happy, just in case they feel a twinge of sadness when they're older?

 

[FangShadow]

Personally I had doubts around age 8 and confirmed the guy isn't real at about age 10 when I saw my family wrapping the present while sneaking to the bathroom.

That said, I don't think it's necessarily wrong to allow your kids to believe in santa for a while, if only for the sake of immagination and fun. Though I'll admit you should let them know that santa isn't real, but that the point of the story (spreading cheer and goodwill) is what is most important. The point at which that happens should be determined by how you feel your child is ready.

Heck, my brother is 14 and autistic and he still believes it for the most part (though I think he's actually figuring it out).

I can't be mad at the teacher. He probably didn't have a chance to think about what to say if that question came up. I would've went the "ask your parents" route. So, I don't think everybody should be on the teachers back so much.

 

[martin's a madman]

I'd take more comfort knowing my parents love me, and want to celebrate with me by exchanging presents.

Also: "It's outrageous that a teacher would strip a child of their innocence and try and demystify something,"


I laughed.

 

[UnmotivatedSlacker]

Call me a dick, but I sincerely hope that teacher gets fired. :/

...You want the teacher to get fired for telling the truth? Seriously? That must be some world you live in if you think people should be punished for honesty.

 

[Epona]

This story is appalling,and the replies to this even more so. So what if their 8 and still believe? I stopped at 9. And the teacher had no right to tell her students that Santa isn't real, that's for their parents to discuss.

Also, whats with all this about the parents lying to their kids and kids eventually being "crushed" and creating "distrust"? Sure, Santa is a "lie", but it just make Christmas that much more fun and magical. My greatest Christmas memories were waiting for Santa to come and give me presents. Besides, i realized on my own that Santa doesn't exist, as logic gradually took over. But was i crushed and did i hate my parents? No, and id be surprised to find anyone that did.

Seriously? Since when is a teacher educating their students considered news?

Sure, she "educated" them, but potentially ruined Christmas for them.

I would rather not tell my kids santa is real.

I believe that is the kind of thing that sets up a trip wire for the kids, so when they grow up it seems like the world is less magical, but if they never knew such a thing then they wouldnt have to be upset over a thing like this.

So don't let them be happy, just in case they feel a twinge of sadness when they're older?

I know right, I know of no one who feels anger and distrust towards their parents over them being told Santa was real.

 

[Epona]

Call me a dick, but I sincerely hope that teacher gets fired. :/

...You want the teacher to get fired for telling the truth? Seriously? That must be some world you live in if you think people should be punished for honesty.

The teacher was out of line, discussion of Santa being real or not are outside the scope of the classroom.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

The way I see it there isn't exactly any harm in believing in Santa. It's just a bit of a laugh.

It's not like anyone is going to have a religious war over him

 

[Cecilthedarkknight_234]

The teacher is supposed to say "You'll have to talk to your parents about that." My wife is a teacher and kids ask her theological questions all the time. These are her stock answers. Kids ask her if she thinks santa is real (she teaches 10-11 year olds so a lot of them don't believe in santa at that point) she says "I just don't know. It's a mystery isn't it? I'd talk to your parents. I'd bet they'd know!"
I'll repeat it again.

If your wife answers that to the question of whether she thinks that santa is real then she is not answering the question (unless she really are in doubt).
The correct answer (in my case at least and most adults, I don't know what your wife believes) would be: "No. Santa doesn't exist". This is what I think about santa and that would be my answer.

Yeah, that's my point she CAN'T answer the question.
She doesn't answer the question because TEACHERS CAN'T TEACH ANYTHING RELIGIOUS IN SCHOOL. They have a horrible tendency to get fired for it.
That includes teaching that a religious belief or particular holiday belief is "wrong."
[a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state] Separation of Church and State[/a] isn't just not teaching religion in schools. It's also making sure not teach kids 'what you're parents believe and are telling you is absolutely wrong.'
You can't force anti-theism any more than you can any other religion.

Jeez.

to answer your question why lie to your kids with fairy tale in this day/age anymore? Hell I am 26 years old what's the point of covering up and making the world seem all happy sparkles when some one would stab you in the back over a f**** pizza or just walk out on his wife after 24 years of marriage saying "i'm done". Giving kids false hope and letting them pretend life is an okay world is what's b.s. but hey this is how I feel.

Why not? Yeah, some people are jerks. I know, I'm a police officer I've seen them every day for 10 years now more than you probably have or ever will.
You know what else I see? People that help kids who've been in horrible car accident, sit there with a complete stranger and comfort them as they're dying.
I've seen old couples who have been married for 72 years but still aren't afraid to hold hands as they shuffle down the street.
People stand up to crazy motherfuckers attacking someone they don't even know.
People who work 40 hours a week and still find time to volunteer at a homeless shelter for a few hours a week.
Even though I've seen the worst things people do to each other I know there are a lot more people getting by in life minding their business and trying to be a good person.

So you know what? People who want to think about all the doom in gloom can go right ahead and think that. Just don't try to drag everyone else down and ruin a kid's chance to be optimistic because you think you were 'lied to by the world' and never grew up to realize that the good things are worth celebrating.

I know that there are things worth celebrating but i am not into false hope. I grew up and before it was to late oh you get good grades you get into a decent school, oh you work hard life works off for you etc. Yeah maybe kids do need some sense of false hope in this day/age with all the b.s. that's going on as in the other day some teen punk kicked his mom down and stomped her in face over how bad some kool-aid tasted. If i wasn't cynical or morbid to be honest I wouldn't be able to get by life anymore.

 

[Epona]

Oh, for fuck's sake. Years and years parents preach that teachers need to be an important part of children's upbringing, with values like honesty at the very center of the debate, and now they ***** about a teacher being honest and "demystifying" the fictional figurehead of a commercial (yes, commercial, deal with it) holiday?!
If there is any kind of justice in the world, the teacher will not only NOT get in trouble, but the school will also make a formal statement to the parents, politely telling them to go suck it. God. Damn. D:<

If an 8 year old kid asks the teacher to explain sex, should the teacher "be honest" and do it or should the teacher refuse to discuss the subject?

The latter is what should have happened here. Santa is like religion, You could claim religious beliefs are lies too because they lack proof but then you miss the point of religion.

Let's see... is sex considered inappropriate for kids of that age? How about... yes.

Is the truth about Santa inappropriate at any age? Let's see... no.

Ok then. If a kid asked the teacher "Is there a God". What would the teacher do? Would he "be honest" and say that there is no scientific proof of a God or would he refuse to discuss it?

Let's see... is the government allowed to have an official position on God? No.

Is the government allowed to have a position on Santa Claus? Yes

Do the parents actually believe in Santa Claus? No
Might the parents actually believe in God? Yes.

This is not hard.

1) I wasn't aware the government had a position on Santa. What is the governments position on Santa?

2) I never said God and Santa were identical just that the belief is similar and not to be discussed in schools.

 

[Something Amyss]

Best not teach that the earth is round, either. Might piss off parents who would rather not have that ruined for their kids.

(yeah yeah, cue the pedantry about the shape of the earth)

 

[Epona]

Oh, for fuck's sake. Years and years parents preach that teachers need to be an important part of children's upbringing, with values like honesty at the very center of the debate, and now they ***** about a teacher being honest and "demystifying" the fictional figurehead of a commercial (yes, commercial, deal with it) holiday?!
If there is any kind of justice in the world, the teacher will not only NOT get in trouble, but the school will also make a formal statement to the parents, politely telling them to go suck it. God. Damn. D:<

If an 8 year old kid asks the teacher to explain sex, should the teacher "be honest" and do it or should the teacher refuse to discuss the subject?

The latter is what should have happened here. Santa is like religion, You could claim religious beliefs are lies too because they lack proof but then you miss the point of religion.

Let's see... is sex considered inappropriate for kids of that age? How about... yes.

Is the truth about Santa inappropriate at any age? Let's see... no.

Ok then. If a kid asked the teacher "Is there a God". What would the teacher do? Would he "be honest" and say that there is no scientific proof of a God or would he refuse to discuss it?

Let's see... is the government allowed to have an official position on God? No.

Is the government allowed to have a position on Santa Claus? Yes

Do the parents actually believe in Santa Claus? No
Might the parents actually believe in God? Yes.

This is not hard.

1) I wasn't aware the government had a position on Santa. What is the governments position on Santa?

2) I never said God and Santa were identical just that the belief is similar and not to be discussed in schools.

1) Maybe if you stopped to think a bit you might realize obvious things about the first amendment and what teachers are allowed to say given that they're employed by the government. But that would require thinking instead of reactionary BS.

2) Yes, you said they're similar and not to be discussed on school based on nothing solid, except a stupid comparison of concepts that are quite different legally(due to the 1st Amendment) and culturally.

Oh I see.

Well, let's look at your line of reasoning. It is also not illegal (according to the 1st Amendment) to answer those sex questions either. So would you be ok with the teacher telling the class all about sex because being honest is more important than the desires of parents?

It's not about legal or illegal. Religion is not discussed in schools because it is outside the scope of school as is a belief or non belief in Santa.

 

[D Moness]

There's a big difference between allowing childhood innocence and openly lying and ENCOURAGING a belief in false things. Those kind of lies cause kids to distrust adults or parents or people in power, since they will lie about something as innocuous as Santa, will try to convince you that Santa exists.

Yeah i really distrust parents and adults because i used to believe in santa and the tooth fairy.

If every kid would that was told santa was real would distrust adult , no kid would trust a parent and that just isn't happening.

Everyone in my surrounding believed in the dutch version of santa claus (Sinterklaas also the myth santa claus is based on) most of us when we were little have sang in front of the chimney and trying to be nice. We all grew up to be normal adult with no distrust issues whatsoever.

Those with kids now celebrate it just like their parents did with them. I believe it is upt o the parents themselves to teach what they think is right (yes or no to santa) it is not up to an outsider.

 

[D Moness]

Best not teach that the earth is round, either. Might piss off parents who would rather not have that ruined for their kids.

(yeah yeah, cue the pedantry about the shape of the earth)

or that pluto is a planet , or that nothing is faster then the speed of light

 

[Something Amyss]

or that pluto is a planet , or that nothing is faster then the speed of light

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

 

[ShindoL Shill]

the grandmother who said she would say that Santa does exist?
double-*****. first, she tells the lie, then she lies after the teacher tells the truth.

Or tell them that there WAS a Santa a looong looong time ago, and that the whole modern Santa thing is just a way of remembering his generosity etc, etc, etc.quote]
there was, a turkish priest named Nicholas. he gave presents to poor people and became a Saint. St Nick.
Or, Santa.

also, unidentified? tell me that woman's name so i can give her a high five and a cake!

or that pluto is a planet , or that nothing is faster then the speed of light

Pluto will always be a planet to me!

My Pluto lies over the ocean
My Pluto lies over the sea
My Pluto lies over the ocean
Oh, bring back my Pluto to me

Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Pluto to me, to me
Bring back, bring back
Bring back my Pluto to me

Last night as I lay on my pillow
Last night as I lay on my bed
Last night as I lay on my pillow
I dreamt that my Pluto was dead not a planet

Oh blow the winds o'er the ocean
And blow the winds o'er the sea
Oh blow the winds o'er the ocean
And bring back my Pluto to me

The winds have blown over the ocean
The winds have blown over the sea
The winds have blown over the ocean
And brought back my Pluto to me.