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Taking young children to a protest/rally?
I am planning to attend the rally happening next week at the Capitol in protest of the Personhood Bill. H is going to take a half day off and come hang out with the kids so I can go (I will have to be late since it is from 12-3, but I am happy to get to go at all).
A friend of mine is going and taking her two small children, and she has been trying to convince me (not strenuously or anything) that I should take mine too.
I would take DD with me if she asked to go, since she is old enough to understand the issue. I would not take her without it being her choice, though. I don't feel comfortable taking DS at all, since he is not old enough to understand the issue, period. I just don't feel like it is right to take him somewhere when I can't explain to him what is going on or why we are there. It just feels icky to me to take young kids to these types of rallies on either side of the issue.
I am not really looking to be convinced one way or the other, since my stance is pretty firm. I was just curious about what other people's thoughts were.
Re: Taking young children to a protest/rally?
I would take my hypothetical future kids.
For me, it's not about them understanding the issue, its about them seeing the process and seeing a group of people exercising their right to protest.
ETA: I am also planning on going, if I can take off work, but it looks like I can.
I would take him if it were for a different issue, but I feel like part of showing the process is explaining what the issue is and why I feel strongly enough about it to protest.
For this particular issue, I don't know that I would take a small child. For me, part of that is because historically anything related to reproductive rights has not always been peaceful (in terms of counter protests that will surely happen). I'd have to be pretty certain that there would be no shenanigans before taking him along.
I think that I could explain it to him in an age appropriate way 'we want to make sure people have the right to choose what's best for their health and their body' without getting into too much detail and I like the idea of explaining protesting and political processes to him as Okla said.
I would say no. I'd hate for things to potentially get violent or out of hand and scare/harm my child. Or like you said, have him coming home repeating something inappropriate. I don't think it's the place for a small kid (our sons' age).
I'd consider taking your DD if it's something that she's interested in, but if not, I'd leave her at home too. It's great to show them that you can stand up for something, but if it potentially jeopardizes their safety or exposes them to something inappropriate for their age range, it's best, in my opinion, to keep them at home.
Great question. I am inclined to agree with you, Critti. If child is old enough (and parents are the best ones to answer) then they could attend. If it is an issue near and dear to my heart (and a child of mine) I would toy with the idea of taking her/him.
I would probably take my 11 up child.
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/254342141310760/
Wendy and I just made plans to meet up at the rally so if anyone wants to go but is hesitant because they won't know anyone, you can hang with us!
Hmmm...I'm still deciding if I can take Tuesday afternoon off, but if I do end up going I'll probably take you up on your offer.