How to Let Children Be Children: A Look at the Recent Controversy at a Wisconsin Elementary School
Children are a precious gift to society, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they have the opportunity to experience their childhood to the fullest. Unfortunately, in today’s world, it seems as though children are being forced to deal with adult concerns far too soon. This can rob them of the naïve sparkle that makes them so endearing in the first place. One recent controversy highlights just how important it is to let children be children for as long as possible.
The Controversy at the Wisconsin Elementary School
Every year, the Waukesha, Wisconsin, elementary school hosts a spring concert. This event is a great opportunity for adorable children to sing, spread smiles, and provide lots of photos and videos for parents to display and embarrass their kids with later in life. The theme of this year’s concert was “The World,” and the majority of the songs were innocuous and upbeat. However, one teacher decided to have her first-grade class sing “Rainbowland,” a catchy little country tune by Miley Cyrus and Dolly Parton.
The Problem with “Rainbowland”
At first glance, there doesn’t seem to be anything inherently wrong with “Rainbowland.” The song is about acceptance of the LGBTQ community, and it has a positive message. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that this song was not appropriate for a first-grade class. For example, the lyrics include lines like “All the hurt and the hate going on here” and “Brush the judgement and fear aside.” These are not the kind of words that young children should be singing at a school concert, particularly one intended to spread happiness and jubilation.
The Backlash from Parents and Students
Understandably, there was a massive backlash from parents and students alike after the school administration decided to cancel the performance of “Rainbowland.” Many accused the administration of being bigoted and non-supportive of LGBTQ students. However, this controversy is not about discrimination or hurting anyone’s feelings. It is about ensuring that children are protected from adult concerns that they are not yet ready to deal with.
Why We Need to Let Children Be Children
Children have such a short amount of time to experience the simple joys of life, and it is up to us to ensure that they get to do so without being burdened by adult worries. The innocence and naïvety that we so cherish in children should be protected and cherished as long as possible. Ultimately, we don’t want to rob children of their childhood and make life more complicated than it needs to be.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding the cancelation of the performance of “Rainbowland” at a Wisconsin elementary school’s spring concert highlights the importance of letting children be children for as long as possible. It is our responsibility as adults to ensure that children are protected and kept from concerns that they are not yet ready to handle. By doing so, we can help to preserve the simple joys of childhood and ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience these precious moments to their fullest.
