BluetreefrogWhat values are most important for you to instill in your kids, and why?
LerajeRead lots of books and never stop reading lots of books. Punching up is good, never punch down. Be compassionate but not to your own detriment. Think critically. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, do what you want. Taking chances is good but make sure they’re informed chances. Find things/careers/courses that you enjoy, rather than their potential for riches. Value listening over talking.
Critical_InsightPunching up is good, hurting others isn’t? How does that work?
Might be a cultural translation issue here :)
‘Punching up’ means its OK to question and protest/argue with those perceived to have more power than you - i.e. laws you don’t agree with, overly powerful/shitty politicians etc. ‘Punching down’ by contrast is by contrast attacking people who might have less power than you in a particular situation i.e. you never report someone stealing baby food in a supermarket etc.
LvxferreI think that there’s a better way to handle this:
- Be careful to not be an arsehole. Specially towards people who have less power than you.
- Criticise world views, ideas, and decisions. Specially the ones of people who have more power than you.
I feel like this gives it a more nuanced view. It’s fine to criticise the worldview of someone less powerful than you, but you need to be extra careful to not be an arsehole. Similarly, it’s also fine to be civil towards people more powerful than you, but you need to avoid being a fool manipulated into doing their bidding.
(It doesn’t sound as cool as “always punch up, never punch down” though.)
That is more nuanced yes. Criticism is of course fine, because in your scenario, you’re criticising ideas, which is always fine. I think what I should’ve said was “don’t make things worse for people in bad situations, especially if you have some form of power over them.”