Are fairy tales good for children?

[Kate]

Is it good to put into our children's impressionable heads teaching about magic and life's lessons that a kind fairy or a prince will come and fix it all? I now think it does more harm than good.

[Z Man]

It all depends on what the magic is used for and what lessons are being taught. For example, Harry Potter stories are filled with magic that is used for the good of an individual. It teaches to do things for yourself, and that you can do anything, as long as it hurts no one (first commandment in the wiccan religion, btw).

On the other hand, however, we have Lord of The Rings, were a boy is given the responsibility to save the world. This story teaches, however, that we should humble ourselves and do what's best for others, putting them first instead of ourselves. Two "harmless" fairy tales that the world instantly enjoys, but only one is worth your child's attention...

[Kate]

You speak with a double tongue.

[Sozo]

Originally posted by Kate
Is it good to put into our children's impressionable heads teaching about magic and life's lessons that a kind fairy or a prince will come and fix it all?

I do not think that Michael Jackson or Prince can fix anything, so I am against tales about fairies.

[Poly]

Originally posted by Sozo


I do not think that Michael Jackson or Prince can fix anything, so I am against tales about fairies.
Now, Sozo.. is that very nice? This is friendship week you know. We all need to be nice. I'm doing my part and so should you. In fact, I'm not even going to mention that I fully agree with your statement.:D ;)

[Rapunzel]

Once upon a time...i heard this fairytale about this chick in a tower with really long hair...then this handsome prince dude came and climbed up her hair and was all..." I love you..." and then they lived happily ever after....sooo....I bought a tower, use Pantiene ProV strengthening shampoo, grew my hair out to 80 feet...and named myself Rapunzel. I have yet to find a prince...but according to the story that should happen soon....*sighhh*...

[billwald]

Children are better at detecting the nature of fairy tales than are some Fundamentalists. For example, Catholics understand that "Bel and the Dragon" is a parable, a fairy tale. Probably so is the story about the Fiery furnace" in Daniel. Maybe Noah.

[Rapunzel]

I think fairytales are GREAT for kids!!! Especially that cinderella one...that prince was one GOOOOD LOOKIN man!!!

[Kate]

And so every young girl is brought up to be a lady in waiting... just like in the fairy tale...

[ebenz47037]

Well, if you're like me, you tell your daughter that it's just a story. Tell them that no prince is going to come "rescue" them.

[Zakath]

Originally posted by ebenz47037
Tell them that no prince is going to come "rescue" them. Maybe not in Indiana, but my sons are "princes" or so say their wives. ;)

[Zakath]

Originally posted by Kate
Is it good to put into our children's impressionable heads teaching about magic and life's lessons that a kind fairy or a prince will come and fix it all? I now think it does more harm than good.

Kate,

You're statement echoes a similar argument I hear from non-religionists on occasion:

"Is it good to put into our children's impressionable heads teaching about dieties and miracles and life's lessons that a kind deity or preacher will come and fix it all?" ;)

Children are a lot more resilient (and intelligent) than we give them credit for. They generally figure out the life-lessons behind most "fairy tales" (use your wits to escape problems, take care of those who are needy, resist and overcome evil, etc.) quite well. Most of them are less impressed with the "magic" than most adults would believe since magic doesn't work in the "real world."

[Paradõsis]

Saint Basil suggested (http://www.ccel.org/p/pearse/morefathers/basil_litterature01.htm) that we use non-Christian reading material, though cautiously.

Into the life eternal the Holy Scriptures lead us, which teach us through divine words. But so long as our immaturity forbids our understanding their deep thought, we exercise our spiritual perceptions upon profane writings, which are not altogether different, and in which we perceive the truth as it were in shadows and in mirrors. Thus we imitate those who perform the exercises of military practice, for they acquire skill in gymnastics and in dancing, and then in battle reap the reward of their training. We must needs believe that the greatest of all battles lies before us, in preparation for which we must do and suffer all things to gain power. Consequently we must be conversant with poets, with historians, with orators, indeed with all men who may further our soul's salvation. Just as dyers prepare the cloth before they apply the dye, be it purple or any other color, so indeed must we also, if we would preserve indelible the idea of the true virtue, become first initiated in the pagan lore, then at length give special heed to the sacred and divine teachings, even as we first accustom ourselves to the sun's reflection in the water, and then become able to turn our eyes upon the very sun itself. - Basil the Great, Address To Young Men On the Right Use of Greek Literature, 2

[Prisca]

I loved fairy tales when I was a little girl, but I don't think I ever expected my life to be like one. It was just a fun way to stretch my imagination. I loved reading them to my girls when they were little and they haven't grown up believing that "a kind fairy or a prince will come and fix it all." It was just a lot of fun for all of us. As Christians, I think we have to be careful not to take some things too seriously. We could end up depriving our children and ourselves of many wonderful experiences.

[Goose]

When I was a little girl...oh wait. hehe

I think that fantasies of this sort are fun yet unrealistic and somewhat dismissed as time goes by from the young age. But as they grow up, and young women see the "There IS a Prince Charming for YOU" type books, it's too irrisistable to not buy it and read it in hopes that maybe that fantasy long ago might actually come true. Especially if you can't deal with yor present reality.

[Kate]

I don't know about you all, but I am still waiting.... :D

[Goose]

Originally posted by Kate
I don't know about you all, but I am still waiting.... :D Men in tights, riding on white horses are hard to come by these days.

[KamiQuasi]

Originally posted by Goose
Men in tights, riding on white horses are hard to come by these days.

That's because they just don't make tights like they used to.

[Goose]

Originally posted by KamiQuasi


That's because they just don't make tights like they used to. For real. When I try to ride my white horse with them, they just chafe my skin.:D

[KamiQuasi]

Truthfully, this is a subject that means a lot to me because I see my youngest sister reading the Harry Potter books, and I'm not so sure how she thinks about magic.
I think, however, that in the proper context fairy tales are a good way to encourage creative thinking and even sometimes some problem solving abilities.
The context would be that the child already has a certain level of discernment that enables them to take the tales and focus less on the fantastic and more on the life-applicable parts. Even the Harry Potter series has elements of mystery, teamwork, and things that I can't say are directly related to wiccan beliefs.
The problem is that most parents do not take the time to discuss the fantastic parts of books with their children and even less time on the life-applicable lessons.
This is true of the Bible also. We frequently read the Word to our children as a compilation of good stories, and fail to help them apply them to their lives, and worst of all we leave it as stories.
I do agree with whoever posted about children being more intuitive of the moral lessons from tales though.
I guess just to summarize, I think that anything we potentially give to children has the possibility of being bad for them. It is not their responsibility, but ours to ensure that we help them to learn discernment of good and bad above all else. Otherwise their conscience is hung out to dry, and we end up with a bunch of unfeeling, uncaring, young people that are indifferent to everything...the 'Whatever Generation'.

[One Eyed Jack]

I don't think fairy tales are so bad as long as you realize they're make-believe.

[SwItChBlAdE]

Reading is good for a young mind, it not only enhances the reader, it encourages positive dreaming, and gives a hope for their future! It’s a way to explore the big unknown world to them. Plus, reading fairy tales or not, young girls are always wanting to be a princesses, and boys always want to be the shining knight who chops off their heads.

[Kate]

So you are supposed to encourage them to read the fairy tales but tell them it's not true?

[One Eyed Jack]

Originally posted by Kate
So you are supposed to encourage them to read the fairy tales but tell them it's not true?

Well... yeah. If they're old enough to read, they should be old enough to separate fantasy from reality, don't you think? I mean, you don't have to tell them there ain't no Santa Claus yet, but you wouldn't want them to go to their grandmother's house thinking they're going to be eaten by the big bad wolf, either.

[philosophizer]

I guess you should ask, do you think you are any worse off having read fairy-tales in your own youth?

If the answer is yes, it is still not necessarily the fairy-tale that has to be removed. If you think a particular element in the stories are harmful when misconstrued, you can probably still allow the stories while educating the child about the truth about that element.

Kids are very good at figuring out things. And the more this ability is exercised, the better they will be. But they will need guidance during their learning.

My opinion is, let the kids read the stories. Or even better, read them with your kids. They're good for the imagination, comprehension, logical reasoning, and social literacy. The important part is to discuss the material with your kids. Then they can learn to judge the material for themselves instead of relying on you to do it for them.

[Kate]

I think Cinderela was bad for the kids. What did we learn from it?

[Poly]

Originally posted by Kate
I think Cinderela was bad for the kids. What did we learn from it?
Big feet are bad?

:::ahem::: sorry.

[lucybelle]

Hoorah for fairy tales! They teach valid moral lessons and encourage our imaginations!!!
I am a HUGE fairy tale fan! Even now- bring on Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty....I could watch them all day long...

[mingus]

Fairy tales ? what if the tale isnt about fairys ?
is it still a fairy tale ?
but whatever they are, I like um, and I think that they are great entertainment for children as well as adults.

[Kate]

So it's just for entertainment purposes?

[One Eyed Jack]

Originally posted by Kate
So it's just for entertainment purposes?

Well, it helps if the story has a moral.

[lucybelle]

hmm...I believe most 'fairy tales' DO have moral qualities to them... a great deal of them end with a deep heart touching lesson, Beauty and the Beast= True beauty is found within; Sleeping Beauty= True love endures all hardships; heck even Snow White preaches the value of innocence and kindness...you really can't say that they teach BAD morality...I've yet to find one that people can frown upon...they're like some good proverbs... useful.

[SwItChBlAdE]

Originally posted by Poly

Big feet are bad?

:::ahem::: sorry.

THAT'S FUNNY! I thought it was if you dont have friends you could always buy a mouse and talk to it.

[Poly]

Originally posted by SwItChBlAdE


THAT'S FUNNY! I thought it was if you dont have friends you could always buy a mouse and talk to it.
Yeah...I think that was more of what the author was going for.:D

[SwItChBlAdE]

What do you think 'three blind mice' is about?
With modern day technology there are ways to correctional eye surgery. Thus, we wont have to make fun of how the blind mice run. I think the moral of this story is… all farmers wives are mean. :D

[Poly]

Originally posted by SwItChBlAdE
What do you think 'three blind mice' is about?
With modern day technology there are ways to correctional eye surgery. Thus, we wont have to make fun of how the blind mice run. I think the moral of this story is… all farmers wives are mean. :D
LOL:D :thumb:

[Kate]

All fairy tales are about good and evil, the evil get punished and the good prevail; and they teach you to believe, "if you build it, they will come" type thing.

[ebenz47037]

Originally posted by SwItChBlAdE
What do you think 'three blind mice' is about?
With modern day technology there are ways to correctional eye surgery. Thus, we wont have to make fun of how the blind mice run. I think the moral of this story is… all farmers wives are mean. :D

Only thing is "Three Blind Mice" is a nursery rhyme, not a fairy tale. :D

[SwItChBlAdE]

Originally posted by ebenz47037


Only thing is "Three Blind Mice" is a nursery rhyme, not a fairy tale. :D

You better not tell the mice that it might upset them!

[SwItChBlAdE]

Is jungle book a fairy tale??? Cuz the moral of that story is jungle boys make good husbands! right?

[Housefly]

All seriousness and no laughter makes ________ a dull pal....

(You fill in the blank)

Ahhem,

"The Preacher sought to find accetable words; and what was written was upright-words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of the scholars are like well driven nails, given by one Shepherd. And further my son, be admonished by these. Of the making of many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. Let us conclude the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. " Ecclesiates 12:10-14

Sorry if that was wearisome to your flesh....

[Karri]

Originally posted by Kate
All fairy tales are about good and evil, the evil get punished and the good prevail; and they teach you to believe, "if you build it, they will come" type thing.

Kate...I feel that our Lord has been speaking to me on subjects such as this.
One thing he has showed me is that the battle in the world today is not a battle of good against evil but a battle of good against good.

Let me explain. If something outright evil was presented to us of course we would turn away and not feast our eyes on such things.
The devil is smarter than this. Truth plus deception is his way. We don't notice these things so much. We pick up the good parts and say it's not SO bad!!
It's a question of the world's idea of good or God's idea of good.

I've come to the conclusion, with things that I will allow my son to see, they must be totally spiritually free (e.g. play school) or have biblical basis.(Not just good against evil!!) That is becoming harder to do!
We can say they are missing out and we are being to harsh! The devil doesn't mess around. My son still has fun and laughter.
But our human nature draws us to this world.

I had to evaluate what I wanted to teach my son.
Number 1: to be a true servant of God. I am not willing to make allowances to allow the devil to get his hands into my son's life. Not even for a fairytale!

Sound off the wall? Too harsh?
Just remember that the devil will draw us to the world..Jesus tells us to come away from it!
Missing out on t.v. shows will not kill our children...watching some of this stuff is just the beginning of deception.

Being a Christian has brought me through some tough times.
One thing I have noticed is that if you do it God's way it's seem to be quite overwhelming when you begin and it becomes much easier as you step more into his will.
The devils ways are easy. I don't even have to think..just do it..but then the road becomes hard and things start to fall apart.

Try taking the T.V. away..see how hard it is..it is easier just to leave it on!! Could it be the devils way of getting into our homes??

Just something to think about!
God Bless You

[Kate]

Yes, I partially agree. Evil became cool. But... You don't have to hide him from evil, you just have to teach him what is good and what is evil, and every story he reads and every show he watches he has to learn to DISCERN IT. I never restricted my son't watching or video gaming habits, but we always discussed it and now he can judge and choose for himself. I will never worry about him falling into Satan's traps.

[philosophizer]

The devil is going to be in our lives. We can't help that. But to refuse things because they "might" be a tool of the devil is a slippery slope angled dangerously toward gnosticism.

Look at it this way. When we vaccinate against a bad virus, we use a weak form of it that the immune system can defeat. While we shouldn't subject our children to delibritely vile things, it can be helpful to allow some of those neutral ideas in as means toward discussion and learning. As Kate said, kids must learn how to discern good from bad for themselves.

[Karri]

Originally posted by Kate
Yes, I partially agree. Evil became cool. But... You don't have to hide him from evil, you just have to teach him what is good and what is evil, and every story he reads and every show he watches he has to learn to DISCERN IT. I never restricted my son't watching or video gaming habits, but we always discussed it and now he can judge and choose for himself. I will never worry about him falling into Satan's traps.

I don't consider that I "hide" him from evil. We are in the world. Satan is everywhere. He see's shows that I disapprove of when he is at friends places etc. Even walking down the street, he sees evil things.

One time he had a fellow classmate (this was before I was home schooling) tell him that his daddy could cut Jesus's head off and then come and cut off his daddy's head as well.

Things happen in his life anyway to learn to discern. While he is young I will be teaching him the foundations in Christ....'I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" Psalm 101

Of course there will be a time that he will be out in the world on his own and then he will be making decisions for himself.

Children are born in sin. Even as an adult I struggle with temptation. Children are the same. Don't you think that as soon as your are not looking that they try something knew? I know that my son tests me constantly.

I know we have to trust God on how our Children turn out. But God tells us to train them and then they will not depart from that.

Of course as he gets older he will naturally have to discern more and more as he will be out in the world more and spending less time at home.

With you saying that you never restricted your son's habits. Does that mean you never stopped him viewing blatently evil things? I am guessing not. Surely you would not have evil in your home that stands out.


I think the place where parents draw the line is the question. What they consider to be evil and "good". The more I grow as a Christian, the more God shows me how much I live according to the worlds standards of "good".

Don't worry I had the exact same ideas of not sheltering my son from the world etc..but God showed me I cant do that no matter how much I try.(Maybe apart from living in the wilderness..ha ha)

Children make decisions according to how they are raised..(or if God intervenes)... if we do not sent boundaries for them how are they going to learn, God's way? They will learn according to the world's way. Even in what they set "before their eyes".

The only way our children will not fall into satan's traps is by the grace of God. I have no control over the future. I only, by the grace of God, bring my son up according to what the bible says. All I do is obey God and leave the rest up to him.

I believe that leaving children to their own devices or talking it through with them is a worldly concept, or letting them make there own decisions (I'm talking about a young child, under teenage years). God says train.

Do you have any biblical basis for talking it through or is your child older?

Just something to think about.
God Bless

[Kate]

Based on my experience, children immulate the parents. If a child is brought up in a peaceful and loving home, it is unnatural for them when they see grotesque violence, my son never wanted to see those. But one time he did play a game I expressed my concerns over but did not forbade it, I wanted to see what he will do. He played it for a week and then stopped. If he continued, I probably would have sat him down and told him that it was wrong for him to play it. I am glad he made the choice himself. He is now 18 and he tells me what's right and wrong. :)

[Housefly]

Your son tells you what is right and what is wrong? HA! I though mine was the only one who did that! Interesting discussion. I wonder what shows Goose and PureX watched when they were growing up? Goose has got that BobJones guy and PureX Looks like BobJones ran into Marylin Manson or something, what say you?

BA BA BANNANANA...

[Karri]

Originally posted by Kate
Based on my experience, children immulate the parents. If a child is brought up in a peaceful and loving home, it is unnatural for them when they see grotesque violence, my son never wanted to see those. But one time he did play a game I expressed my concerns over but did not forbade it, I wanted to see what he will do. He played it for a week and then stopped. If he continued, I probably would have sat him down and told him that it was wrong for him to play it. I am glad he made the choice himself. He is now 18 and he tells me what's right and wrong. :)

Maybe your son doesn't like violence..can't say I ever did as a teenager either.(I was a non Christian) But the bible tells us our heart is wicked above ALL things.

The further we get away from God's will, it gives satan room to play. And if we deny the sin that lives in us, we call him a liar.

I think a peaceful and loving home is not the point. It's more a point, that a home based on God's guidelines, then a child will not stray.

I know plenty of homes, worldly and some Christian that they have let their children make decisions for themselves. The children are quite decent human beings (by the world's standards), But the fruit of ungodliness show when they make decisions as an adult. But even then, by the world's standards they are still going O.K.

Recently a daughter of a family I know, moved far away from them to live in sin with a nonChristian boyfriend. They gave her freedom to make her own choices. I just pray that God draws her back. They don't see a huge problem..she'll get over it. She's not walking with the Lord. But she is an adult now...it is out of their hands.

We need to realize how BAD we are, even our children! The only good thing in us is God. Our children are learning foundations...if we don't stop them from watching or doing something..we are not training them. We are letting them go there own way, which is the way to death.

Jesus is the ONLY way to life.
God Bless

[Kate]

Karri, my post you quoted was in response to children watching violent shows. I belive the children who are brought in a peaceful and loving home will not watch violent shows. I do agree with you that a home must have Christian values for our children to be able to discern between good and evil.

Housefly, lol!