JCS

Yeah nothing like a totally un-witnessed event totally over characterized. I don't preach so your claim has no merit. When was the last time you said no to someone from the confines of your home? Did you feel you had the right because it was your home or because it was your intent to confuse someone? And are you a preacher because of it?

AquaVita

I agree. But seriously...is failing to see a no soliciting sign worthy of punishment? Every parent is different I understand, but I think kicking someones rocks around is more indicative of a problem then failing to see a little sign. But that's just differences in parenting, and they make the world go round.

JCS

That is because you assumed an irrational one involving some form of sermon.

Mageth

This whole "it takes a village" concept is a two-way street. If you expect the 'village' to help raise your child, you're just going to have to accept that people are sometimes going to point out your child's transgressions.

I have no problem with that at all. This concept far predates the modern "It takes a village" campaign (if you can call it that).

I grew up in a small town, where kids were allowed to roam around and have fun. But most adults were ready and willing (expected to, really) to correct us if we, for example, trespassed on their property. And if we were observed getting into mischief, even on the other side of town, our parents would almost surely get a call.

But I think it's wrong to categorize the policies of the BSA as the "child's transgressions", if indeed that's what you're doing (and it doesn't appear to be what you're doing, BTW).

AquaVita

If you say to these children what you said in your previous post, then I have no problem with that.

JCS

And I missed the part where I claimed to lecture a child about something they don't understand. Also if I tell the kid I don't support organizations that support discrimination how can you be sure it didn't do any good. If the kid brings the issue home to mom and dad, perhaps mom and dad will work to change it.

AquaVita

Well here's where we can agree on something perhaps. If mom and dad don't know enough about the organization to know there are problems there in the first place...then I don't think the child should be a part of it untill the parents understand what their child is out doing every Tuesday and Thursday.

JCS

I never expected anyone but my wife and myself to be resposible for our children and in turn for them to take resposibility for their own actions.

No I was not. I was demonstrating that argument had taken an emotional turn and playing it out was my way of acknowledging it.

lisarea

Point taken. I did get a little off course of the original topic, and was addressing instead the idea of sending your kids out to sell things in the first place.

However, I still think that, if you're going to send your child out into the world to initiate contact with strangers, you have to take what you get.

My son is mature for his age, and has been capable of carrying on relatively adult conversations since he was about seven. It would never even occur to me that a ten year old would be confused by these topics.

Children who are not mature enough to understand or deal with a variety of reactions should not be out talking to strangers.

Mageth

And I missed the part where I claimed to lecture a child about something they don't understand. Also if I tell the kid I don't support organizations that support discrimination how can you be sure it didn't do any good. If the kid brings the issue home to mom and dad, perhaps mom and dad will work to change it.

With the clarification on what you'd actually say (as opposed to what some others on the thread indicated they would say), as well as the clarification of what effect you think it might have, I withdraw my objection.

Reviewing previous posts of yours, perhaps you can see where the assumptions and confusion about your actions/intent originally came from. For example:

If they can't understand the rants and raves, then they probably do not understand the policy from which those comments originate. Why are they participating in something they are to young to understand? Or better question, why are adults exposing children to divisive doctrines that the kids will be confronted with. Just who is the guilty party? When they show up at my door I respond as christ-on-a-stick did.

(emphasis mine)

christ-on-a-stick's response was a bit more than "Sorry I don't support organizations that support discrimination. good day. "