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by Carmella on January 27th, 2008
Not in my opinion, and in fact it's a major factor of whether I'd send my child to a private or public school in the US. I wouldn't want my young child subjected to the pledge, and I don't think a young child is necessarily equipped enough to understand the implications of what they're repeating... nor do I think they're necessarily going to want to stand out and refuse to say it. If the school wants a parrot, they can buy one.
I don't think the pledge is appropriate, the US doesn't have an official religion. I'd also prefer the government to stay out of my child's faith in God as much as possible, and ''under God'' leads to the assumption there is a God.
by DRLAURAHATER on January 27th, 2008
Yes, cause it shows respect to our country's flag and to our country.
by singwell-is off researching a lot on January 27th, 2008
I am Australian, and I am sorry that children these days in our schools do not have the great benefit we had of saying our pledge each morning when the flag was raised.
Keep it up. It unites your nation.
by Mr. Potato Head on January 27th, 2008
I think it's perfectly fine. Children can either A) stand while the pledge is being played over the intercom or B) politely leave the classroom while it's going on. They don't have to stand in the room while it's being said, they just cannot be seated. To me it's a pretty harmless tradition.
by Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here on January 27th, 2008
No.... I was forced to and punished for refusing.... not everyone is proud of this country; no one should be forced to proclaim otherwise.
by Anonymous on January 27th, 2008
Yes they should. Every nation believes in itself. That doesn't mean you are happy with everything that goes on in this country, it just means that you are loyal to this country.
by JTP on January 27th, 2008
I don't see anything wrong with it, these kind of traditions create a very strong bond between you and your country.
by Zebulon on January 27th, 2008
I don't have a problem with it, but I do think elementary age is a bit young to be forced to pledge allegiance to ideals they hardly understand.
It wasn't until I was in high school that I thought, "Uh, have we really been saying this since we were six?"
by royal77 says hello friend on January 27th, 2008
It should not be mandatory, but it is nice to have children develop civic qualities at an early age.
by Rebelheart on February 21st, 2009
Do people really listen to the words? Do they believe them? What good is forcing someone to make a pledge, which is in essence a promise, against their will?
I have several problems with the wording in the "pledge" and can not bring myself to say it. I guess I just take my pledges and promises more seriously than others do. That is not my idea of being a patriot.
by Anonymous on November 10th, 2008
i think that if you are a citizen of the United States of America you should say it out of respect of the country and the men who have died to allow to live in a FREE COUNTRY. i do not believe that saying Under God should affend anyone because this country was founded on a christian belief, however if you do have a problem with it i dont think that it would be a terrable thing if you didnt want to the pledge...but you should at least have the respect to stand up while it is being said. and if you refuse to say it because you don't like this country...LEAVE!!! nobody is stoping you.
by U..P.. on May 30th, 2008
No. They're too young to really know or care what they're saying. If they *really* feel the want and need to, they can do so on their own time. It sort of reminds me of Hitler Youth... not as extreme, but still.
by ingrid on May 30th, 2008
What about all the kids who are not American and leave in this country, if You were relocated in another country from your work, will you let your kids pledge the flag of this country ?????
by countrygirl on May 5th, 2009
yes they should. every american should say, put their hands over there hearts,or slute the flag while saying the pledge. no matter what the age they need to learn it. if people don't like the pledge or do not want to respect it than they need to take there their butts to another country. they not apart of the usa and they need to be put out of here.
Why can't we have a government that really cares what the British people want?
by PinkyKingerweiser on September 19th, 2011
| 2 people like this
Is President Obama really taking Lady Gaga on his reelection tour?
by AndyP on October 15th, 2011
| 2 people like this
"Democracу-a form of government,which means...?" or "Democracy - it is assumed that...?" Try to continue the expression of democracy?
by PetrashEug on September 9th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
DEMOCRACY FOR SALE!!!
Are you buying it?
by mikedsign on October 13th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Lets form a new political party of the people, by the people, for the people. We'll call it the beer party. Are you with me?
by rabid on September 22nd, 2011
| 4 people like this
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Comments
The "under God" clause isn't part of the original text, it was added in the 50's in a wave of religious revival.
+10 for "if the school wants a parrot, they can buy one". Certainly children of this age cannot appreciate what it means to make a promise of that scope.
by Stableboy on January 28th, 2008
:-) Thanks SB! Honestly, even without the God tripe I'd still have a problem with it. I think swearing allegiance to a flag and a country is just... bizarre, unless you're volunteering for national service. It's like some indoctrination camp for kids, and I reckon it's probably things like that (mixed with parental influence of course) that produce these severe right wing fundamentalists that you don't come across as much in England. The whole ensemble excels my weird factor.
by Carmella on January 28th, 2008