Hannah Identifies with a Bullied Rudolph

Rose:

Yes, Simon. Children’s stories reflect their thoughts, behavior, and even their identities. Through storytelling, children reveal how they think, manage their actions, and shape their personalities.

Simon:

Providing children with a sense of meaning in life is crucial—perhaps even more important than pursuing happiness. Experts suggest that chasing happiness alone can lead to unhappiness. Meaning in life is deeper and more enduring. According to Martin E. P. Seligman, an American psychologist and self-help author, people achieve fulfillment when they use their strengths and talents to contribute to something greater than themselves. Storytelling plays a significant role in this by helping children make sense of their experiences, develop their sense of self, and connect with their culture. Stories also provide meaning and concepts that enrich our understanding of life.

Simon:

Rose, let’s discuss how stories can be misused for propaganda and how specific targeting concepts can shape meaning.

Rose:

Before we dive into that, let’s explore the concept of meaning in life a bit more.

Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life that Matters, distinguishes between meaning and happiness. She identifies four pillars of meaning:

1. Belonging: Feeling connected to others, being valued, and treating one another with respect.
2. Purpose: Having a sense of direction in life, whether through significant achievements or simple acts of respect and support.
3. Storytelling: Sharing key life experiences to build a deeper understanding of ourselves and enhance our sense of meaning.
4. Transcendence: Experiencing a state of complete focus and immersion, often found in nature, religion, or other profound experiences.

When it comes to assigning meaning through religion, some radical groups exploit this to further their agendas.

Kathy G. Short from the University of Arizona defines storytelling as meaning-making, while Louise Rosenblatt refers to it as World-Making. Literature provides an opportunity to explore infinite possibilities and meanings. However, radical groups understand how to manipulate stories to promote their extreme views. It’s crucial for parents to provide meaningful stories to their children to counteract these radical influences. Stories can profoundly shape children’s perspectives and actions, influencing their choices and behavior.

Simon:

Rose, how do you think extremist groups use fiction as propaganda to reach their goals?

Rose:

Let’s look at some evidence. Katherine Elder from the University of Southern California recently published an insightful article titled “Propaganda for Kids: Comparing IS-Produced Propaganda to Depictions of Propaganda in The Hunger Games and Harry Potter Films.”

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, and the Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling, depict fictional worlds where propaganda plays a significant role. The Islamic State (IS) also uses propaganda to further its agenda. Elder’s article compares how IS’s propaganda techniques align with those depicted in these popular book series. She identifies similarities that could affect how younger audiences critically perceive such propaganda in their own lives.

Simon:

Considering your points, I’m thinking about morality. What exactly is morality? How can we evaluate it? Is it shaped by our culture?

Rose:

Morality is a complex and debated topic. Traditionally, social scientists have viewed morality as a cultural construct, though some argue for a scientific basis for moral principles. To understand this, we need to define culture. Culture encompasses shared values, beliefs, and behaviors that influence how people interpret each other’s actions. It is learned from one’s social environment rather than inherited genetically. Therefore, human behavior is significantly shaped by cultural context.

Culture includes concepts like morality, which refers to notions of right and wrong that may vary between cultures. Literature helps children form their understanding of life and morality. However, these concepts can sometimes become diluted through daily practices and rituals.

Lawrence Kohlberg’s theory of moral development offers insight into how moral reasoning evolves. Kohlberg, an American psychologist, built on Jean Piaget’s work to study how people’s moral judgments change with age. He identified three levels of moral development, each with two sub-stages:

1. Pre-Conventional Morality: Young children base their moral decisions on avoiding punishment and receiving rewards. For example, Stage 1 is focused on obedience and punishment avoidance.
2. Conventional Morality: Adolescents and adults adhere to societal norms and seek to maintain good relationships and approval from others. Stage 3 involves valuing interpersonal relationships.
3. Post-Conventional Morality: Individuals at this stage develop their own moral principles based on justice and human rights, often challenging societal norms. Stage 6 involves universal ethical principles.

Kohlberg’s studies show that as people grow older, their moral reasoning becomes more sophisticated. However, only a small percentage reach the highest stage of moral development, where principles of equality and justice guide their actions, even at personal risk.

Simon:

So, according to Kohlberg’s theory, to reach the highest stage of moral development, individuals must sometimes challenge cultural norms if those norms are outdated or unjust. Literature can help provide the concepts needed to advance moral reasoning, though cultural practices can sometimes hinder this progress.

Thank you all for joining us. We’ve covered a lot about the impact of stories on children and how to connect with them through their own stories. Check out our website for more resources and activities. Let’s think about the best ways to be effective parents and share our ideas.

Thanks for joining us today!