Parents: Come Clean About Santa
Most parents know that lying to
their children is wrong. But there has been one constant lie through the years
that has been justified by every generation: the existence of Santa Claus.
First off, lets look at why parents lie about Santa. Most would say it is
because of two reasons, one being the tradition behind Mr. Claus, and the
other, the lit-up faces of youth as they receive their presents.
But are the
smiling children worth it? Is the idea of Santa Claus simply a white lie used
to expand the imagination of our kids? Or can it have a negative effect on a
child. Chaley-Ann Scott fromt Psychcentral.com points out that an uncovered lie
like such can affect a child’s capacity to trust adults. This could pose a real
problem. I remember watching the sadness on my siblings’ faces as they caught
my parents putting presents under the tree. They were heartbroken and full of
questions: “Who puts the presents under the tree?” “Why would you lie to us?”
“So he really isn’t real?”
Lying to
children about Santa Claus is quite unnecessary. Had this Christmas tradition
not been so widespread, it would be easy for people to realize how ridiculous
such fabrications are. Children can enjoy the magic of Christmas without the
belief that a fat jolly man wearing a red sweat-suit somehow slides down your
chimney and puts your favorite presents under your live tree sitting inside of
your house.
The main
problem with the Santa Claus tradition is that it is not a story that one tells
their children to broaden their imagination, these are real beliefs put into a
child’s head. Parents take advantage of the fact that their children are not
fully mentally developed and feed them lies to excite them. Once children find out, an inevitable occurrence,
their hearts will be broken and their trust in their parents will lessen. It is
unnecessary and rude to children. Come clean parents, come clean.
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