Child Choosing to Boycott- and others are discouraging it

[Journey]

The other day, my DD and I were walking downtown. There was a circus taking place, and a woman was picketing outside. I encouraged my 6 y/o daughter to talk to the woman. She told her about how the elephants are treated, and how they're transported in these trucks. I took DD down the hill to see the little trucks the elephants are transported in. DD decided she doesn't want to go to the circus, because they treat the elephants bad.

I took DD to the library, and I got her a book on how men and elephants work together (like in what was Burma). There were no books on animal cruelty.

So, DD doesn't want my money to go to the circus. She doesn't want anybody to take her to the circus, because it would make her sad.

However, people feel like I'm somehow depriving my child by allowing her to boycott the circus. Like the circus will be some life changing event. IMO, learning to stand up for ones beliefs is a much more important event.

Has anybody ever experienced something similar? Somebody discouraging you from encouraging your child to stand up for their beliefs, especially at such a young age.

[PikkuMyy]

IMO - it's not any different from people who say you deprive your kids when you don't give them candy as babies, etc. I won't be taking my children to any circuses that involve animals for the same reason your daughter doesn't want to go.

How about the fact that she DOESN'T WANT to go! If you forced her, would you be a good mother? I don't think so. Their logic is flawed and yes, standing up for your beliefs is better than watching people run around in a tent for 2 hours (including the animals getting abused.)

Good for you, sticking up with and for your daughter!

-Emily

[kaydee]

Wow--I am SO impressed by your daughter's compassion! Her willingness to stand up for her beliefs, esp. at such a young age, is a quality that should be supported and nutured, IMO.

We will be dealing with this soon enough ourselves, as I am a longtime animal rights activist and plan on not taking my son to circuses that use animals or to zoos (unless he *really* wants to go, and then my DP and I will have to think about how to handle the situation).

I think things to keep in mind when responding to critics are: 1) that this is your daughter's choice and that you will support her, 2) that there are good reasons not to support the exploitation of animals in circuses, and 3) there are *plenty* of ways for her to learn about animals without financially supporting a cruel industry. You can mention the abundance of animal-free circuses that are out there, the opportunities to learn about animals in other media, and the accredited animal sanctuaries that are out there that are sometimes open to the public so that people can view animals IRL without supporting their exploitation (we have three near where I live, including one for former circus animals! ).

I hear the line about circuses being a timeless "tradition" for kids that provides great "educational" value and feel SO frustrated! If I think people will listen, I try to tell them *why* I disagree with this assessment, and to share with them the cruel aspects of the circus, and why they are not good educational tools. If it seems hopeless, I just say "We're quite comfortable with our choices, thanks."

If you are looking for info about cruelty in circuses, here are two websites I'd recommend: www.circuses.com and www.morebeautifulwild.com. You'll probably want to scout out the age-appropriate parts of the sites ahead of time.

Good luck!

ETA: Here's a book you might want to check out, as well: Saving Lilly by Peg Kehret. Here's teh book description from Amazon:

"AGAINST All ODDS

Erin Wrenn and her friend David are in big trouble because they refuse to go on a field trip to the Glitter Tent Circus. They wrote a report on the sad lives of circus animals and discovered that the Glitter Tent Circus is one of the worst animal abusers of all. Mrs. Dawson is determined to give her students the happy circus experience she remembers from her childhood; she won't let Erin and David share their report or pass around a petition asking for a different field trip. Erin is determined to force Mrs. Dawson to change her plans...or she'll stage a sit-in at school.

Then Erin sees an even bigger problem: Lilly, a mistreated elephant, is about to be sold to a hunting park. How can she save Lilly before it's too late? It seems impossible!

Can one girl -- and a class of sixth graders -- make a difference?"

[matts_mamamama]

I am totally impressed by your daughter (and you!). I say she was given all of the pertinent information, and she chose not to go. Her choice. If more people were as compassionate...well, the world would be a better place.

[mum2sarah]

No advice, but can relate...I get the same problems for "depriving" my children of the zoo...

[TiredX2]

Nothing real to add, just wanted to give a big to you and your DD.

DD initiated her first boycott at almost 4.75 and we were so proud Well, I was proud, DH was relieved (it was of a Sanrio store, which DH HATES, lol). People are shocked when she mentions it, but she has never had anything negative said to her.

Kay

[Beansmom]

Wow, I hope my dd feels the same way yours does because I will not take her to the circus or allow her to go with anyone else. I think it is great your dd has such compassion. I plan to explain things to dd and hope she understands and feels the same.

[grisandole]

When ds1 was about that age, he decided to go veggie. I was for it, though I'm not veggie, and my family freaked out I was so proud of him, and made my family back off.

People are just crazy. Ignore them.

We don't do zoos or "animal parks" at all. Or circuses.

Kristi

[Nabbe]

My dd is 6, and she never been to circus. I dont like it, and i dont feel as if i deprive her of something. I told her that they treat animals bad, while God told us to treat them good, so she understands totally.

[ILuvMyBaby]

i think it is wonderful your daughter is taking the choice herself not to go...tell other to screw