By Caden Speakman
If you ask someone who celebrates Christmas what it was like discovering Santa wasn’t real, you’ll likely get mixed answers. Some may give you a sappy story about how they cried to their parents after school one day when some kid on the playground told them they had been deceived, while others may claim to have known it was too good to be true all along. Often times this brings up a question of ethics when it comes to parenting, and it has long been debated whether it’s acceptable to deceive children about fantasy holiday figures. Although there are some reasons why this common practice in our society can be upsetting, lying to children during the holidays actually brings much more good than harm. Christmas is the most widely celebrated holiday in the United States, so you can imagine how many kids are exposed to the idea of the jolly man in a red suit. While it may sound disturbing when we tell children an obese old man can see them when they’re sleeping and that he forcibly enters their house one night a year, it’s safe to say that the majority of kids are filled with nothing but pure excitement while waiting for Santa’s arrival. Kids don’t analyze the idea of Santa or take the time to question his ethics. Children just know that he is giving them gifts and they can’t wait to see what they are. Santa gives children something to look forward to and fills their childhood with memories of anticipation and joy. The idea of Santa also teaches children good morals. The Christmas season is blanketed by a bustling, joyous atmosphere which strongly emphasizes the virtue of giving. It is no lie that the holiday can in fact spoil children and make them greedy if parents aren’t careful, but if done right it allows children to experience the satisfaction not only in receiving gifts, but also in giving them. It’s impossible to not experience that rewarding feeling when you see someone’s face light up after opening a gift you gave them, and it’s important that children experience this at a young age so that they understand the importance of charity. Another important part of Christmas is teaching that doing the right thing will lead to rewards. When children are reminded of the perks of good behavior and warned about the possibility of getting nothing but coal in their stocking if they are naughty, they tend to abruptly straighten up and start acting like an angel. If children believe that Santa could be checking up on them at any given time to ensure they are being good, they will also learn to do the right thing when nobody's watching. Providing an incentive for good behavior is by no means negative. The worst part about Santa is realizing it’s a sham. Often times this can be devastating to children, leaving them feeling confused and betrayed by their parents. Even though this short period of mixed feelings can be harmful to kids, it helps them mature by teaching them to be more realistic. Plus, it's not like all those great memories of Christmas or the good morals they were taught are soiled just because Santa isn't the one delivering the presents. While some may claim that telling children about nonexistent holiday figures, such as Santa Claus, does more harm than good, doing so actually provides many benefits for children who are learning and growing, preparing for the real world ahead of them. It allows kids to have something to look forward to as a reward for doing the right thing no matter who's watching. It also teaches them to find happiness in being charitable, and creates memories of a joyous and comfortable atmosphere. Even when the gig is up it gives children a stepping stone in development and maturity. The moral of the story is, don't board up your chimneys this holiday season.
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January 2018
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