Shaming the Poor

@Genipher (5405)
United States
December 5, 2018 12:37pm CST
Yesterday I got bashed on an online mom's group because I mentioned that I show my kids pictures of and share stories about poor people in other countries. I want my children to understand that there are people in the world that don't get three meals a day. People that sleep in dirt huts with leaky roofs. Kids that have to walk miles every day just to get a bucket of dirty water. I want my kids to be grateful for what they have and to pray for those that don't have as much. And not only to pray for them, but to help financially, if possible. And yet, when I made this "big reveal" I was told I was "shaming" poor people. Really? Am I just supposed to ignore the fact that there are people in the world that struggle? Should I raise my children to ignore the needs of others and only focus on themselves? What about the kids that want to help and sell lemonade, etc. so they can send money so those less fortunate can buy food? What about organizations like World Vision (through which we support a child) or Gospel for Asia that uses donations to help mothers find jobs, send goats and chickens to families so they can support themselves, and dig wells so children in villages don't have to walk hours for bad water? Are they shaming these people as well? I'm not pointing a finger and laughing at people trapped in these scenarios. I'm not telling my kids they're better than these other people. We respectfully talk about, pray for, and financially help those in need. Is that a bad thing? Would you consider it shaming to tell your children to be thankful for what they have because some folks don't have it as easy? Am I missing something here??
15 people like this
13 responses
@much2say (55912)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Dec 18
Kids do need to know these things about our world. We take for granted what we have, especially living where we do - but they need to know not everyone around the world lives like this. My fellow mom friend took her child to the country they (parents) grew up in . . . many kids had nothing, not even socks or shoes. She wanted to teach her child the very same thing - and I think she was right for doing it. I don't see how you are shaming poor people.
4 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
We live in such a self-centered society...I don't want my kids to only focus on themselves. And sometimes they act so ungrateful for the blessings in their lives. Blessings poor people would love to have!
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
5 Dec 18
youre right. your kids are actually learning that poor people are not a lesser society, some just need a chance to prove themselves. ive also talked to a few who chose to be homeless.
3 people like this
• Philippines
6 Dec 18
why did they say they chose to be homeless?
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Dec 18
@Plethos but they have family?
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13581)
• United States
6 Dec 18
@hereandthere - they liked being free.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160908)
• United States
5 Dec 18
It sounds as if they are trying to shame you for being a kind and thoughtful person who is teaching her children well. My grand children love to help pack meals for an organization called "Feed My Starving Children". That is near Minneapolis. In our area we have a similar program called "Numana". Kids love to help and feel like they are making a difference in the world. Good job, Mom.
3 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
I need to look around and see how we can serve others in our area. Especially now that my older kids are getting, well, older.
@1creekgirl (41692)
• United States
5 Dec 18
You're raising your children right. Is it better to ignore problems that we should help with?
3 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Apparently that's what the women who lambasted me think!
@JudyEv (341824)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Dec 18
Don't listen to them. I bet none of them give a penny to others. You're doing the right thing making your children aware that not everyone in this world has the same benefits as they do.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (341824)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Dec 18
@Genipher They are to be pitied for their attitude. I can't quite believe it either.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
I still can't fathom why acknowledging that others aren't as blessed is a bad thing to teach kids.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
5 Dec 18
Honestly, I stopped caring what others thought a long time ago. After many hurt feelings, you learn.
3 people like this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
I generally have thick skin. There are a just a few things that rile me up. With this, I'm just flabbergasted. To refuse to acknowledge the problems in the world and pretend everything is hunky-dory is just...I don't even have a word for it! Ignorant? Foolish?
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
6 Dec 18
@Genipher I don't think those words are even strong enough.
1 person likes this
@maximax8 (31046)
• United Kingdom
6 Dec 18
I take my 11 year old and 9 year old daughter to a variety of different countries. They get to see poverty in developing countries. My daughter thought Colombo in Sri Lanka was a bit shabby. I could see its palm fringed beach and its Temple of the Tooth. I looked beyond the inner city tattiness to see a lovely little country. Last Easter we did a trip to Egypt. While we were waiting for a bus we saw a disabled adult man cross the road. It was shocking because he needs a wheelchair. In the Ukraine my daughter didn't want her pudding so we gave it to a beggar. My daughter sat down on a golden seat in a park. A man with a bandage on his head was begging. He seemed to go from battle to supermarket. Yes downstairs there was a supermarket. He was buying some food with cash he had been given. This year before our Indian safari they went to Mumba with me. A taxi drove through very poor streets. I wish my two children to be grateful for all they have. I think they know about poverty and they like to spent in charity shops to give back to society. I took my son on a walking tour of an African shanty town helped by an Irish charity. Per night my accommodation was what they paid per month. We were with a guide and he waited at the bus stop with us for safety. My children waste food and I wish I could feed the hungry of the world.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
Wow! That's so amazing that you're able to take your kids around the world like you do! So many different cultures and sites to see...I've often wished we could do something like that! Yeah, poverty is everywhere. We actually live in a town with a lot of homeless people. When my husband I first got married we were thinking of starting some kind of working farm for the homeless that needed a place to get back on their feet. Then we had kids and, well, money is tight. Perhaps when we're older...
@Sreekala (34312)
• India
6 Dec 18
Children should learn what is going on around the world. Only good parents can do this task.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
To much me, me, me! these days. Especially in the U.S.! I DON'T want my kids to be that way!
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50606)
• United States
9 Dec 18
You are right they are wrong. It sounds to me like you are teaching your children all of the right things.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
10 Dec 18
Thank you! That's always good to hear. So many times I feel like I'm failing as a mother. Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and fix all my mistakes, you know? At least this, though. This isn't something I'll wish I could go back and time and change.
@sol_cee (38219)
• Philippines
8 Dec 18
Ignore them. These people can't just complete their day without giving their two cents in.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
8 Dec 18
I think they like the drama. Okay, I admit it. Sometimes I do too!
@MissNikki (5237)
• Maple Ridge, British Columbia
17 Jan 19
I don't think this is wrong and I do not think you are shaming poor people - you are showing your children the reality of the world.
1 person likes this
@Karenmm (881)
• Nairobi, Kenya
6 Dec 18
I think you are bold and great to start teaching your kids that we are all not the same...and I don't think you are shaming them... and so I urge you keep on teaching them.
1 person likes this
@Genipher (5405)
• United States
6 Dec 18
It's sad that so many people are without basic needs. I really wish it wasn't thataway but until things change (or Jesus comes back!), we'll have poor folks. And until then, we'll just keep on serving the needy the best we can.
@Karenmm (881)
• Nairobi, Kenya
7 Dec 18
@Genipher that's true
1 person likes this
@jnrdutton (3182)
• United States
25 Apr 19
@Genipher, The people attacking you and claiming you're shaming the poor need their heads examined. Many people turn a blind eye to the poor, or treat them atrociously, THAT is the shame.
1 person likes this