Kid's friends want to be police officers -- how to handle

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure whether ...

That's right Op. You don't know. You wanting to speculate is not good.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes me weep for humanity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our preschool just sent around a year end video. Part of it was asking each kid what they wanted to be when they grew up. This was done at home, so the parents recorded the video. I'm not sure whether it was done pre George Floyd's death or not.

Two of the kids stated that they wanted to be police officers and talked about how they help/protect people. I'm not sure how to react.

First, should I say anything to my kid to offer a more balanced perspective, or should I just let it go? Should this change the degree to which I let me kid play with those kids, or should it change my interactions with the parents?

Especially if this was done post-Floyd murder (although let's not pretend the same thing has happened repeatedly in recent and less recent history), it seems at best tone deaf to submit those videos of the kids idolizing the police. It is very easy to redirect a five year old and I am sure the parents could have encouraged their kids to say something less controversial. I don't know whether this was intended as an overt political statement, but it is surprising they wouldn't realize how at least some people would view their kids' statements and I wonder more broadly what they are teaching their kids.

OP, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.

Hi, Billy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're preschoolers. Of course they want to be police officers and firemen and nurses etc. The places where they see examples most often are cartoons and books where those characters are always positive. There are no bad cops in kids books. Mr. rogers called them "helpers". Teach your kid about the world and introduce reality and what's happening as it's age appropriate.

OP here. I'll respond to this post which was constructive, unlike many posts just calling me crazy.

I understand that kids might want to be police officers and it might be too much too use this to call into question what they are generally teaching their kids because of the things you mention. That makes sense.

But it still strikes me as tone deaf to submit those videos at this moment given what the country is going through. Sure, it isn't a statement that All Lives Matter or the kid wearing a MAGA hat in the video, but I never would have submitted that video right now. And if the video was done pre-nationwide protests, they had almost two weeks to submit something different.

Why submit/stick with something that could be interpreted as thumbing your nose at the current protests and be triggering to some people?

Because these are children, not adults, and their parents are not confusing their childlike perspective of the police with the more nuanced perspectives that grown ups have. They are not using their kids as pawns to show how woke they are.

Also, as I reflect on my child's friends, I would welcome any of them to be police officers. They would be true "good guys". If they were old enough, they are the type of people who would be joining the protests right now.

I think OP, this concern is more about you and your concern how other perceive you. Try to separate your responsibilities as an adult from the responsibilities of your children.

But presumably the 5 year olds did not record the video and submit it to the school. That's action by the parents and the parents should be aware of the context.

Little kids can do all sorts of things, such as make comments that could be viewed as racists or ableist, not really understanding the nuance and context. A parent can't control what is said in the moment, but you'd like to think they wouldn't broadcast one their kid's unknowing foibles for the world to see.

So your position is that wanting to be a cop is racist?

Lovely.

That's really what you took from that post? No, it's that it is insensitive for the parents to have provided that video at this point in time.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered talking to the parents?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They're preschoolers. Of course they want to be police officers and firemen and nurses etc. The places where they see examples most often are cartoons and books where those characters are always positive. There are no bad cops in kids books. Mr. rogers called them "helpers". Teach your kid about the world and introduce reality and what's happening as it's age appropriate.

OP here. I'll respond to this post which was constructive, unlike many posts just calling me crazy.

I understand that kids might want to be police officers and it might be too much too use this to call into question what they are generally teaching their kids because of the things you mention. That makes sense.

But it still strikes me as tone deaf to submit those videos at this moment given what the country is going through. Sure, it isn't a statement that All Lives Matter or the kid wearing a MAGA hat in the video, but I never would have submitted that video right now. And if the video was done pre-nationwide protests, they had almost two weeks to submit something different.

Why submit/stick with something that could be interpreted as thumbing your nose at the current protests and be triggering to some people?

OP, did the children say they wanted to be policemen so that they continue the oppression of black people by law enforcement officers? I didn't think so. So why are you taking that from this? I think you're being really judgmental about this, which is what people are reacting to. Your post is so holier than thou when in reality pretty much everyone has pointed out that you are wrong in your thinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all you idiots fell for this ridiculous troll post

I can't help but think the same thing. A+ troll work.

The sad thing is, the left is moving so far off the field that you can’t even tell anymore.

I am as far left as it gets, and I am absolutely calling troll.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our preschool just sent around a year end video. Part of it was asking each kid what they wanted to be when they grew up. This was done at home, so the parents recorded the video. I'm not sure whether it was done pre George Floyd's death or not.

Two of the kids stated that they wanted to be police officers and talked about how they help/protect people. I'm not sure how to react.

First, should I say anything to my kid to offer a more balanced perspective, or should I just let it go? Should this change the degree to which I let me kid play with those kids, or should it change my interactions with the parents?

Especially if this was done post-Floyd murder (although let's not pretend the same thing has happened repeatedly in recent and less recent history), it seems at best tone deaf to submit those videos of the kids idolizing the police. It is very easy to redirect a five year old and I am sure the parents could have encouraged their kids to say something less controversial. I don't know whether this was intended as an overt political statement, but it is surprising they wouldn't realize how at least some people would view their kids' statements and I wonder more broadly what they are teaching their kids.

I f these are good people, you probably would prefer that they become cops over people raising their kids with racist, anti-black or anti-immigrant beliefs. We’re AA and my brother is a police officer. He’s anti-racist. I don’t want the only cops to be people who think black lives don’t matter.

This! I mean, look, if the people who posted these videos of their kids are the people who do wear MAGA hats and post All Lives Matter and tell black people to stop complaining, then I could see how it might seem like they are trying to raise racist little cops who will continue to be part of the problem. Barring that, I don't see how this is remotely an issue.

[Anonymous]

Not every police officer is racist or violent. Some are. (And “some” is 100% too many.)

Kids like the ones you’re describing have pure intentions.

Leave it be.

[Anonymous]

OP, we had something similar happen at our pre-K graduation (live, via Zoom). The teachers had asked each child what s/he wanted to be and they reported the answers when each child was recognized.

Of 35 kids, probably 5-7 wanted to be police officers. All white, all boys.

We didn't discuss it in relationship to the graduation. We have talked to our son about what happened to George Floyd and we have been to protests of it together. He's seen police drive by our protests and honk in support. He's seen police drive by and scowl. He will get it all, eventually.

I would not engage or critique the pre-K kids' aspirations, with them or with their parents, as a path to helping your kid grapple with the issues posed by the racist overpolicing of our society. Adults with power are the people to address. Have your kid see you doing that.

[Anonymous]

OP get a grip.

This is ridiculous.

Even with what has happened absolutely nothing wrong with growing up to be a policeman or a child considering that.

This is as bad as people thinking we will no longer allow Lego's in policeman form. UGH.. Stupid and short sided.

Teach your children there are good and bad people in this world no matter what their profession and move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m sorry that you’re going through this, OP. Ignore the boot lickers in this thread. It’s absolutely necessary to talk to your kids in an age-appropriate way about this.

“I heard Larla say that she wanted to be a police officer during the end of year video. A lot of people think police help people, but a lot of the time they hurt people more than they help. If I were Larla’s mommy I’d ask her to pick a different job that helps everyone.”

Nope. SOME of the time. Not a lot of the time. And NO job helps everyone. There are corrupt politicians, dirty lawyers, doctors who abuse their patients. Hell, Catholic priests aren't even saintly! I think one innocent life is one too many to have been taken by a police officer, but to say that a lot of the time cops are bad is just flat out wrong. You sound as moronic as OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, we had something similar happen at our pre-K graduation (live, via Zoom). The teachers had asked each child what s/he wanted to be and they reported the answers when each child was recognized.

Of 35 kids, probably 5-7 wanted to be police officers. All white, all boys.

We didn't discuss it in relationship to the graduation. We have talked to our son about what happened to George Floyd and we have been to protests of it together. He's seen police drive by our protests and honk in support. He's seen police drive by and scowl. He will get it all, eventually.

I would not engage or critique the pre-K kids' aspirations, with them or with their parents, as a path to helping your kid grapple with the issues posed by the racist overpolicing of our society. Adults with power are the people to address. Have your kid see you doing that.

I actually think this situation merits further investigation. What’s happening in the classroom such that so many kids are coming away wanting to be cops? Seems concerning to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe all you idiots fell for this ridiculous troll post

I can't help but think the same thing. A+ troll work.

The sad thing is, the left is moving so far off the field that you can’t even tell anymore.

I am as far left as it gets, and I am absolutely calling troll.

+a million

- super lefty person who thinks there is a huge systemic problem with the police and their ongoing militarization but who has no problem with a kid wanting to protect people or even with the paw patrol!

OP is being inflammatory

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

“I heard Larla say that she wanted to be a police officer during the end of year video. A lot of people think police help people, but a lot of the time they hurt people more than they help. If I were Larla’s mommy I’d ask her to pick a different job that helps everyone.”

And what job would you suggest that be? I'm sure you've read the numerous articles about many teachers disproportionately punishing black students, correct? Or many doctors taking the pain of black patients less seriously? Are those jobs "helping everyone?"

Totally not the same thing. Teachers don’t exist for the explicit purpose of upholding unjust laws and protecting a racist power structure. But if you’re asking seriously...teacher, doctor, professor, baker, farmer, chef, writer, author, musician...

Mary Kay Letourneau
Larry Nassar
I could go on and on but your point is idiotic.