Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Boot Campaign

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
Prescribing Patriotism for More Virtuous Kids

Prescribing Patriotism for More Virtuous Kids

Last updated on: October 7, 2016 at 10:35 am by Cathy Fair

Prescribing Patriotism for More Virtuous Kids 2016-10-07T10:35:45-07:00 Cathy Fair

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

The First in a Series on Raising Patriotic Kids

What if there were a magic potion that would make your children more compassionate, grateful, and empowered? One that could help them be less self-centered, and give them a sense of belonging. You’d buy it in bulk, right?

Well, how about trying a regular dose of patriotism? One parenting expert says a sense of patriotism in your kids can do all that and more. While it is perhaps more obvious how patriotism can benefit society – more community service and civic involvement, for example – child development expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa says it also has many positive benefits for the children themselves.

220483029_99c5ca3d26_z

One of these is a sense of connection. Having pride for your country and identifying with its people grounds kids in who they are, and makes them feel part of something bigger than themselves.

“When they realize they can be part of a country, it’s easy for them to see how they can be part of smaller things — a community, a team, a family,” says Dr. Gilboa, a family physician, mom of four boys, author, and speaker.

And as part of a something, kids realize they have a role in that group. They learn to get involved, and want to give back. They become more compassionate and selfless. Seeing how Americans respond to a crisis, for example, teaches those who feel a sense of national pride to follow suit.

“Whether it’s donating aid to flood victims in Louisiana or making origami cranes to send to earthquake survivors in Japan,” Dr. Gilboa explains, “Kids believe that this is what Americans do.”

As a first-grader teacher, Diana Rambaldi makes a point to talk about patriotism in her New Jersey classroom. It helps her students understand gratitude, she says. Together they discuss the sacrifices service men and women – and their families – make.

“It gives them an understanding of what people in the military give up for us and for our freedom.”

Rambaldi helped inspire The Boot Campaign’s Patriot League, a kid-centered, activity-based program that promotes patriotism and community service. She has seen that teaching kids to have pride in their country – even at a very young age – makes a difference. Within just a couple of weeks, for example, they show greater respect for the flag in the morning.

“It really does stick,” she says.

3563198519_ba6e3c887f_z

So often kids can feel powerless in the world. But knowing and respecting our country’s history and democratic process makes children realize they can make change happen, according to Dr. Gilboa. When they see people believing in causes, standing up for and working toward them, it builds confidence and competence, and allows them to grow up with a belief in their own power.

“When we teach that to kids, about going out and rallying for what they believe, we’re telling them ‘You’re an effective person who can get things done. Your voice has value.’”

And what a powerful and important feeling that is to be able to identify and work toward solving problems! The generation growing up right now is incredibly passionate about social justice and technology, Dr. Gilboa says, and has the skills to address national and global issues. But if they lack patriotism, will they even bother?

“They really do see injustices, so it’s all about grabbing that passion and energy and drive they have and getting them involved. That can change them entirely into kind of adult you’d like to hang out with.”

The kind of adult that possesses the qualities that Teddy Roosevelt equated with patriotism:

“Americanism means the virtues of courage, honor, justice, truth, sincerity, and hardihood — the virtues that made America.”

What parents wouldn’t want that for their children?

Coming soon…simple ways you can help instill patriotism in your children, and more on The Boot Campaign’s Patriot League.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 28, 2016

No Excuses - One Veteran’s Tough Love Advice for Navigating the Road Back to Civilian Life

Next Post

October 17, 2016 Polls, Protests, and Halloween Candy - Surprising Ways to Teach your Kids Patriotism

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who found the Book of the Law in the Temple during Josiah's reign?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Jehoiada Joab Shemaiah Hilkiah the priest