Indoctrination

My son is being indoctrinated. Five days a week I send him off to school, where he spends more time with his teacher than he does with me. 30 hours a week of learning from someone else.

I don't worry too much. We talk every day about what he learned. I figure that if his teacher is straying from the published curriculum, I'll eventually hear about it. My son and I then have the opportunity to talk - something we already do. Although I believe that his teachers have an advantage of training, and will introduce and help him gain proficiency in his subjects much more effectively than I, I still feel that I am part of the equation. So I help him with his homework, and we talk regularly about our ideals. About what it means to be a moral person.

And I see him growing into the sort of person I'd like him to be.

So it didn't fill me with dread when I heard that our President was going to speak to our school children. "What a neat thing to do!" I thought. It will likely make an impression on his young mind - probably much more that the President took the time to speak over anything that might be said.

And if it does make an impression, it is something we will likely talk about when I get home from work. If the President talks about education, about my son's role in accepting responsibility for his education, that he can't just depend on others to do it for him; that education is a good thing and if pursued diligently will enhance my son's life; that he must look to his parents and within himself to really grow, then it will be a very positive experience.

And, if for some reason the President does deviate into other topics about government, about government's role in our lives, then we have that as a springboard for discussion as well. I may disagree, and that could be a very powerful moment ("Wow, Dad, you disagree with the President?" "Yes, eventually I'm bound to disagree with everyone, including the President. And here's why...")

As much as I can stay involved, and hopefully teach him to evaluate, to search for supporting evidence, then I don't have to worry that he is being indoctrinated at all. He's being educated.

And he's going to grow up and move into the world where he will daily hear people speak and have to determine the truth or falsehood of what they are saying. Better he should start now.

With me by his side.