Quote From: jettavWhatever, I guess this could be considered "right to free speech" and if she and others are offended then they have the right to voice this. I personally will not allow my children to have the toy either, just like there will be absolutely no Harry Potter items in my home either. It is all in how we see things. In fact, we don't even celebrate Halloween becasue it only encourages our kids to go to strrrangers and ask for candy and it is about scary and evil, just look at the decorations. My children will never step foot in a haunted house becasue it is redicoulous. My point is, every one of us have our views and opinions and have the right to feel as we do, like some think that Halloween is nothing but fun, I think it needs to be banned, in the same way that this lady is against the with stuff, others might think it is ok, to each their own.
I am glad that you are instilling your values and beliefs into your children. However, what about teaching them to be respectful and tollerant of other cultures and beliefs? I understand your apprehenshion towards Halloween, I too feal that it has become very comercialized and far from it's original roots as a last harvest festival and day to remember our ancestors. In regards to Harry Potter and other forms of media I highly doubt that as your children get older you will be able to censor all items that do not meet your approval. They must be prepared to make their own judgements and be respectful to others when making those judgements. This country is full of varried and distinct cultures that have the same rights to practice their beliefs with the same courtesy that the main stream groups expect. We try to instill in our children that there are many different paths in life that people take and many different belief systems out there and they need to respect and acknowlage each and every one with the same courtesy that they expect of others. Good parenting involves being proactive with your children in regards to tolarance of other cultures and beliefs, and the parents set the example.
