Opinion and Knowledge
How many times in your life as a parent have you answered your
child with “because I said so?” Maybe that rings a bell with some of
you. For me it begs a question, does that answer benefit either party? Maybe in the short run it does. In the “long run”, you would hope that the child would have questioned the answer for the knowledge instead of accepting the parent’s opinion.
I believe it is incumbent on me to arm my children with “curiosity”, I want them to question authoritative answers, with respect, to get to the truth. If they leave the familiarity of “the nest” only armed with my opinion or that of their close relatives and teachers, we will have done them a great disservice. Acceptance of another person’s opinion as fact is intellectually lazy, in most cases. I answer a lot of questions around my house with questions.
Many times opinion and knowledge can inhabit opposite ends of the spectrum. I will be the first to admit that my opinion of certain subjects is based much more in “feel” than it is in “fact”. I don’t think I’m alone in that. I have also observed that “volume” does not tend to carry much sway when discussing certain issues, only knowledge does. Knowledge of a subject does not carry much baggage, just the truth. It is impossible for one man’s truth to be another’s fiction when the facts are honestly researched.
Circumstances may change opinions, but facts remain. I find that I am not nearly as interested in a loud discussion as I used to be. If I can impart that “feeling” to my kids I will have done a good thing for them, providing them with a valuable shortcut to maturity. I might be wrong but isn’t that my assignment?
“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened.”
Sir Winston Churchill
I have come to many realizations over the last few years, especially where my children are concerned. One is that no matter what I hope for them, I am going to be but just so effective in assistance as they explore their lives. If they are armed with the curious desire to seek knowledge instead of relying solely on how the important issues makes them feel, they will gain the disquieting power of restraint. Then people will care more about what they think. Talk with you soon.
What are some ways that we can ignite the spark of curiosity and further knowledge with our children?
