The Santa myth: harmless fun, or a myth that harms?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, Santa isn’t harmful. It’s a fun tradition with a very short window, that children naturally grow out of. And then they do the same for their own children because they remember how awesome it was.

IDK. People who were spanked/beat as a child are more likely to spank/beat as parents. I don't think it's because it was awesome for them.

Well, that was quite the stretch. I’m sorry for whatever has happened in your life that you would equate “presents from Santa” with getting beaten by your parents.

I just have a professional familiarity with repeating family behavioral patterns. They are often not rooted in "how awesome" something was....more likely just what people are used to or expect.

And, as someone else pointed out, there are generational standards to consider. In my parents generation it would have been considered really weird to not teach your kid about Santa because you "wanted them to trust you". A child believing (and obeying) a parent was just a given. There wasn't really as much thought given to the relationship.

Similar to how parents just expect their kids to believe in the same religion as them?

[Anonymous]

After my niece realized Santa isn't real, she questioned if God is real. My sister had a tough time trying to convince her that of course God is real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Is someone stopping you from embracing a Grinchy Christmas? Go for it. It’s a free country.

See how that works? You get the kind of Christmas you want and other people get the kind of Christmas they want. Win-win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you think Santa is harmful to children? Do you tell your kids there’s no Santa because you want them thinking logically and rationally?

How do we keep our kids safe and logical when Santa keeps threatening their independent and reality based lives with presents and candy we all know he doesn’t bring?

Teaching our kids all-or-nothing thinking does not keep them safe, nor is it logical. What if your kid has an imaginary friend they created - are you going to disabuse them of that notion, because you think it won’t keep them safe or logical?

Newsflash: people can be logical and rational *and also* believe in imagination and fun and make-believe, especially for kids.

Parents can tell their kids anything they want regardless of how lacking of truth it is. It’s not anyone else’s job though to play along in the make-believe land you created.

People who approach life rationally and logically can teach kids so much more than a fantasy that “drives” reindeer through the sky.

NP: I suppose if you are incapable of having an imagination or any fun at all, and if you underestimate children as wildly as you clearly do, then you probably should steer clear of Santa and a whole lot of other traditions and fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:After my niece realized Santa isn't real, she questioned if God is real. My sister had a tough time trying to convince her that of course God is real.

That's totally normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Is someone stopping you from embracing a Grinchy Christmas? Go for it. It’s a free country.

See how that works? You get the kind of Christmas you want and other people get the kind of Christmas they want. Win-win.

We don’t need to embrace things that actually harm the environment and our children. We are logical and reasonable and can make better choices, all of us.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Is someone stopping you from embracing a Grinchy Christmas? Go for it. It’s a free country.

See how that works? You get the kind of Christmas you want and other people get the kind of Christmas they want. Win-win.

We don’t need to embrace things that actually harm the environment and our children. We are logical and reasonable and can make better choices, all of us.

How big is your house? What do you do for a living? How often do you travel?

[Anonymous]

Do any of the Christian posters who opted out of having Santa visit their households get visits from the Easter Bunny or even the Tooth Fairy? Is Santa the only one you opt out of or all of them?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did not want to lie to my kids. So I told them from the beginning that I was Santa and put the things in their stockings. They interpreted that as that I worked for Santa and was his regional distributor. This was preschool. Kids that age like to believe in magic.

We are not Christian. We are UU and celebrate a Yule of sorts.

So you lied by omission. Got it.

no, I did not. I found out later that that was their interpretation. I think they were five or six when I figured out what they were thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Is someone stopping you from embracing a Grinchy Christmas? Go for it. It’s a free country.

See how that works? You get the kind of Christmas you want and other people get the kind of Christmas they want. Win-win.

We don’t need to embrace things that actually harm the environment and our children. We are logical and reasonable and can make better choices, all of us.

Great. Off you go then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s fine to tell kids about Santa when they’re young, but as soon as they question his existence, parents should fess up.

I also don’t think parents should get mad about other kids telling their kids the truth about Santa. Or about sex, for that matter.

Yes, big agree. Teach your kids about sex-not Santa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The same generations that spanked their kids promoted Santa. They were also extremely racist and homophobic. Santa needs to fall by the wayside as a vestige of a by-gone era.

Given the obscene income disparity in this country I agree with you whole heartedly. Some children who are good all year but poor get nothing over the Christian holiday while some children who are privileged but rotten get their heart’s desire from Santa. It’s an incredibly damaging myth rooted in the same worldview that fueled MAGA. Time for it to be retired.

Santa is definitely MAGA.

The analogy is apt. He is rooted in Western Christian culture. He rewards the rich but abandons the poor after giving them hope. He lives in a fantasy world. He fuels environmentally damaging consumerism.

On the whole, the Grinch is actually a better Christmas icon.

He doesn’t buy gifts, he makes his own suit, he resists the damaging consumerism and materialism Santa and his proponents embrace.

The Grinch teaches people to be happy without gifts.

A simple meal with others is what Christmas is about to the Grinch, and it’s actually quite responsible and appropriate.

We should reject MAGA Santa and embrace the environmentally friendly, low cost, low waste, inclusive Grinch

Is someone stopping you from embracing a Grinchy Christmas? Go for it. It’s a free country.

See how that works? You get the kind of Christmas you want and other people get the kind of Christmas they want. Win-win.

We don’t need to embrace things that actually harm the environment and our children. We are logical and reasonable and can make better choices, all of us.

How big is your house? What do you do for a living? How often do you travel?

NP. Maybe we should all travel in an environmentally conscious fashion. With reindeer pulling a sleigh. Around the world. In one night.
Maybe we should all employ elves to make toys.
Maybe we all should live in a castle in the North Pole.
LMAO.