What is with parents these days?

[Not Afraid]

My intention was just to expose the kids to opera.

NOOOOOOOOOO.

I have a really hard time stomaching this type of parenting. Is having enlightened historical knowledge such a bad thing?

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I've got another friend who grew up going to Disneyland at least once a year with his family. Then he went in jr. high or high school with some friends, sans family. His friends said, "Let's go on the Haunted Mansion." To which he said, "The what?"

His parents had not even let him know it existed.

I'm glad this friend of yours was finally able to see the light. I wonder if this friend ended up with a healthy fixation on the mansion. Perhaps meeting some kindred haunted mansion spirit. Maybe this friend is a Disney fanatic to this day, using a mansion themed identity on the Internet or running in mouse adventures....

[Alex]

I'm torn.

The parents are stupid. But opera (at least every time I've seen it) is a horrible thing to subject children too.

So I say we execute both the teacher and the parents and make the children wards of the state.

[Moonliner]

As for the original topic of this thread...

Yes there are some fairly screwed up parents out there but it's also unfair to judge someones entire life on a single article like this. Who knows what details were left out.

Also, I'm sure all of you are or will be perfect parents making all the politically correct choices for your kids, teaching them tolerance and love and peace. Just be ready with the first aid kits for when they ride on the bus with the kid who's parents think grand theft auto is a great kids toy.


Ps.. After reading the article, I don't think Opera was the issue. It was that the Opera was about the Devil. So please go back and edit all your musical outrage and update it to religious outrage.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

I'm torn.

The parents are stupid. But opera (at least every time I've seen it) is a horrible thing to subject children too.

So I say we execute both the teacher and the parents and make the children wards of the state.

Awwww, opera is not bad, sung properly it can be absolutely transporting.
Opera has everything, love, hate, vengeance, murder, incest, fantasy, it's like a great reality show with a fabulous music track. Then again, it's all about personal taste, sung well, I love opera, sung poorly, it's a miserable night in the theatre. Sung poorly, I weep for Verdi, but it never kills his music.

As for you Mousepod, it's about time someone had the Rhinemaidens in the nude, proper costuming for a mermaid no matter what Disney may say! ;-)

Now, I agree, some of these parents should have their children taken away from them, if for no other reason that with someone else they might have a more healthy exposure to art, culture, the world. Of course, the kids will be exposed to a healthy exposure to art, culture, music and the world via their gay friends.

Donna

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I have listened to opera. I am not gay.

I have watched professional sports (basketball, football, and baseball), live, in person. I am not straight.

I never said their fear was rational.

But regardless, I'm not 100% familiar with the plot of Faust, but doesn't Faust pay dearly for his "bargain" at the end of the show. Does that not make Faust a morality tale...?

[Gemini Cricket]

Any kind of program that makes a kid sit for more than 15 minuites is torture to them. They need to learn to be calm.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I'm glad this friend of yours was finally able to see the light. I wonder if this friend ended up with a healthy fixation on the mansion. Perhaps meeting some kindred haunted mansion spirit. Maybe this friend is a Disney fanatic to this day, using a mansion themed identity on the Internet or running in mouse adventures....

It ain't me. I so wish it was me...because that day that he discovered the Mansion, he also happened to be on acid. Oh what I wouldn't give to go back and experience the Mansion on mind altering drugs having never known of its existence!

Nope, my parents may be as square as square can be, but they most definitely did not shelter me.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

I have watched professional sports (basketball, football, and baseball), live, in person. I am not straight.

I never said their fear was rational.

But regardless, I'm not 100% familiar with the plot of Faust, but doesn't Faust pay dearly for his "bargain" at the end of the show. Does that not make Faust a morality tale...?

I'm going to forbid my kids from reading the bible because it mentions satan.

[Snowflake]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

As for the origional topic of this thread...

Yes there are some fairly screwed up parents out there but it's also unfair to judge someones entire life on a single article like this. Who knows what details were left out.

Also, I'm sure all of you are or will be perfect parents making all the politically correct choices for your kids, teaching them tolerance and love and peace. Just be ready with the first aid kits for when they ride on the bus with the kid who's parents think grand theft auto is a great kids toy.

I agree, but my point is this, Faust is an opera over 100 years old, based on a classic tale of good v evil and the struggle for a man's soul by Goethe. It in no way glorifies the devil and worship of the devil. Exposing a child to something like opera or sculpture of Michaelangelo, painting of Monet or Matisse is a positive and creative thing. The kids are free to hate all of it and the parents are free to explain to them rationally if they do not understand the concept of the Faustian tale.

Hell, Barbie culture and worship of Paris Hilton and the pseudo-celebrity lifestyle she represents is far more destructive than poor old Faust if you ask me. It's also far more aceptable to American culture, so it would seem.

Of course, I'm not a parent.

Donna