In which I plant the seed of republicanism in my daughter

[cjwatson]

Children's literature and television is distressingly full of kings and queens and princesses and princes, and Judith (6) has picked up rather too much of that for my liking. So, when she asked me something about that on the way home from astronomy tonight, I decided to seize the teachable moment and explain to her how most countries don't have kings and queens any more, and that this is because when you have just one person in charge then what happens if that person isn't very nice?

J: But the Queen is nice. She fixes cars.
Me: Right, but not all kings and queens of this country have been nice.
J (incredulous voice): Reeeeeally?
Me: Really.
J: Some of them didn't fix cars?

Comments

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

Hmm, she is almost at the age where Benedict started with those, and I hadn't thought she might be old enough. Good call, thanks.

[highlyeccentric]

I wouldn't have thought she'd be old enough but you seem to induct your kids to books / movies / etc much younger than worked for me and my brother (esp me, to be honest. I had a super high reading level but was not psychologically mature to keep up with it).

If the books are a bit above her, the TV show might work? the RUTHLESS RULERS song could be called for here!

[ghoti.livejournal.com]

She definitely prefers younger TV shows; my niece is a big fan, and Judith likes it well enough but not to choose. I think she's probably a while off the books, actually, but nearer than I'd been thinking, if that makes sense?