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

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

It was two classrooms, and I don't think there is anything so surprising about this. Kids have no power, and in pre-K they are constantly angling for how to get some. Whining, wheedling, negotiating...and dreaming about having a job where everyone has to listen to them and what they say goes.

The glorification of policing to young kids is real and it's pretty pervasive. Shows, toys, even clothing--it's surprising how hard it can be to avoid clothes and toys that are cop-themed. You might not notice unless you're trying to avoid these themes. [/quote]

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