Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Should I criticize my son for supporting communism?


Should I criticize my son for supporting communism?

My 16 year old son is a supporter of communism, but mainly because he's studied up on it through books and online research, and talking to his grandfather who is from the former Soviet Union. Somehow or other, we got into an argument about politics and I more or less told him he wasn't right to support communism (he persists he supports the "real" kind). Well, long story short, I feel somewhat bad for criticizing him. Was I right, or should I allow him to continue his support of it?

From what I can observe, he isn't a full blown radical but a moderate supporter. An old Soviet flag which his grandfather gave him hangs on his wall along with a poster of Lenin.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

First, as long your son doesn't do anything bad, you shouldn't criticize him for this.Communism is not bad, people just don't believe communism will ever work because as human, we are born to be competitive and profitable. Your son might likes the idea of communism that's all. About Soviet Union, I personally like Soviet Union and I admire Soviet scientists and athletes so much!
Don't let difference get into your relationship with your son. He's a teenager who like different things. I think part of being the parents is to appreciate thing. Your son soon will realize Communism isn't going to work out so... And it's great that he likes to hear and learn things! Not many teenagers care about learning history actually and I think your son's interest should be embraced!
Asker's Rating:
5 out of 5
Asker's Comment:
Good advice! Thank you!

Other Answers (7)

 
  • Depends on what he actually supports. If he supports the system that used to exist in the so-called Soviet Union, then Yes, you should criticise him for supporting capitalism (specifically state capitalism), a system which inevitably means inequality and oppression.

    But if he supports a classless stateless society without rulers or countries, then he does support 'real communism', and that's to be applauded.
  • You can't get him to stop supporting communism, but you can expand his views. Get him to better understand different economic/government structures, point out their flaws. Then point out the flaws in communism that made it unsustainable and led to its ultimate failure. Explain why no free person in the world should ever want to live under a communist government.
  • No, not criticize him. But engage him in intellectual debate. It'll be a good bonding experience and will force him to think critically. Maybe next time you guys go out to eat at Pizza Hut, remind him that it's a private owned business and thus his values should prohibit him from eating with you guys. Watch him cave. Take away his beloved iPhone because Apple exploits the masses in factories.
  • sounds like youve got kid smart enough to explore alternate ideas

    as time goes he'll keep on reading a discovering

    sure, engage him in conversation and argument - thats the stuff of political discourse

    talking and sharing ideas is what makes a real democracy
  • What you should do is start a communist regime in your house to let him see how it really works in practice.
    • 2 people rated this as good
  • No. Just start calling him comrade in front of his friends.
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