Critical thinking

[pat]

J.: "The girl who won the essay contest said that her dad was in Iraq fighting for America's freedom. I thought that if anything her dad would be fighting for Iraqi freedom, if that, but decided not to say anything."

Me: "Wow, I'm impressed how you are such a critical thinker."

J.: "I'm not really all that much a critical thinker: I get most of my political views from you and dad. If you had different views, I probably would too."

Me: *wordlessly boggles*

Me: "Well, actually the fact that you are conscious of where your views come from and what influences you does mean that you are a critical thinker."

J.: "Really? That's sort of ironic." *smile*

We later talked about ways in which we can increase his exposure to differing views of the world. He's a very interesting kid.

Comments

[mnfiddledragon.livejournal.com]

Kids are so awesome sometimes :)

*smile*

[simplykimberly.livejournal.com]

That's a really great kid-story :) How old is he? That's one of those times when you want to make a big deal about how clever they are, but if you do it in their face, at least too much, it'll backfire. That's why it's nice to have other parents to share it with! :)

(Nice use of the word "ironic" too :))