Raising your kids to be geeks: good idea or bad idea

[MessiahDecoy123]

Anyone raising your kids to be geeks? Any reservations about doing it?

Also to anyone raised to be geeks themselves, any regrets?

 

[Wolfwood]

Well my plan is to show them my interests as they get older and then support them in theirs. If they happen to not go down the geek path, that'll be fine. I just hope to instill them with a bit of appreciation for the culture.

 

[Speedball]

While I'd like them to share my geeky interests, I'm not going to force it down their throats. I'll them form their own opinions.

And why would I regret being a geek? I know what I like and don't regret it one bit.

 

[El Payaso]

Superhero fans but never geeks.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

While I'd like them to share my geeky interests, I'm not going to force it down their throats. I'll them form their own opinions.

And why would I regret being a geek? I know what I like and don't regret it one bit.

Not regret being a geek. But regret being somewhat molded to be a geek by parents.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Superhero fans but never geeks.

I'm curious. Where do you draw the line between superhero fan and geek?

 

[Thundercrack85]

Define geek.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Define geek.

Here's an official definition:

geek/gēk/
Noun:
An unfashionable or socially inept person.
A person with an eccentric devotion to a particular interest: "a computer geek".

My definition:

a person who has a high appreciation for things related to comic books, fantasy, sci-fi and/or other nerdy ideas/concepts and devotes more time/energy to them than most.

The official definition is garbage. Anyone want to add anything to my definition.

 

[Thundercrack85]

So in other words, raising your kids not to be idiots.

Yeah, I'm going to go with good idea.

 

[CConn]

I will raise my kids to exist on the fridges of accepted societal norms.

But never to be socially inept or unfahsionable.

I wouldn't so much be concerned about whether they like comics or fantasy, but rather that they're exposed to the philosophical and socio-political subtext that comics and fantasy is often steeped in.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

I will raise my kids to exist on the fridges of accepted societal norms.

But never to be socially inept or unfahsionable.

I wouldn't so much be concerned about whether they like comics or fantasy, but rather that they're exposed to the philosophical and socio-political subtext that comics and fantasy is often steeped in.

Yeah I would want to start mine on sci-fi (usually layered with socio-political themes) and let them branch out from there.

 

[Figs]

No because I don't want my kids turning out like me. If I have a son I want him to be outgoing and confident. Basically I won't beat the crap out of him like my dad did to me, I also won't brainwash him with religion at an early age so he goes through life with what I call "Catholic guilt".

Yes, I'm too ****ing nice and have paid for it many times.

One thing though, although I don't want my possible son to turn out like me, I won't force or push him into anything.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

So in other words, raising your kids not to be idiots.

Yeah, I'm going to go with good idea.

Yeah I think most geeks are decent, considerate and imaginative people.

Worst case scenario they turn out to be slackers but I don't mind that. I want them to be happy over being just a trophy for me to brag about.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

No because I don't want my kids turning out like me. If I have a son I want him to be outgoing and confident. Basically I won't beat the crap out of him like my dad did to me, I also won't brainwash him with religion at an early age so he goes through life with what I call "Catholic guilt".

Yes, I'm too ****ing nice and have paid for it many times.

One thing though, although I don't want my possible son to turn out like me, I won't force or push him into anything.

If you don't guide your children, media and outsiders will and you may not like the results.

and just because you raise your kids to be "nice" it doesn't mean they will be doormats. You still can tell them about integrity, self-determination and fortitude.

 

[bunk]

Well, I'm going to be finding out the answer to this question soon enough. The nerd paraphernalia will be all around and unavoidable. It's really just a question if he wants to be like his old man or not.

 

[Speedball]

Yeah, that's not what my definition of what a geek is.

My definition of a geek, nerd, dork, whatever stupid stereotype you're forcing us to classify ourself into is that it is someone who knows what they like and aren't afraid to show it or admit it.

It might bring some ridicule, but those peoples opinions don't matter because they're going to live shallow, unfulfilled lives fitting into whatever mold they think they need to fit into.

You don't need to guide your children like they have this set path they need to follow, but you do need to help them discover what they like and what they don't. I find that it's the kids whose lives are fully guided by their parents are the ones who ARE influenced by the media and outsiders because they have no say in their life and find a need to rebel.

 

[Figs]

If you don't guide your children, media and outsiders will and you may not like the results.

and just because you raise your kids to be "nice" it doesn't mean they will be doormats. You still can tell them about integrity, self-determination and fortitude.

Yes, I realize you need to guide them a little, I was simply saying that I'm not going to force them to do anything like sports or read comics.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Yes, I realize you need to guide them a little, I was simply saying that I'm not going to force them to do anything like sports or read comics.

lmao!

I'm just picturing some geek with glasses and green lantern T-shirt forcing his son to read Fantastic Four.

All my father did was take me to the comic book store one fateful day. Jim Lee and Chris Claremont's X-men took over from there. t:

Some fathers force their kids to play sports. Geek fathers basically throw a bunch of comics or movies at their child and wait for them to bite onto one of those hooks.

 

[MessiahDecoy123]

Yeah, that's not what my definition of what a geek is.

My definition of a geek, nerd, dork, whatever stupid stereotype you're forcing us to classify ourself into is that it is someone who knows what they like and aren't afraid to show it or admit it.

It might bring some ridicule, but those peoples opinions don't matter because they're going to live shallow, unfulfilled lives fitting into whatever mold they think they need to fit into.

You don't need to guide your children like they have this set path they need to follow, but you do need to help them discover what they like and what they don't. I find that it's the kids whose lives are fully guided by their parents are the ones who ARE influenced by the media and outsiders because they have no say in their life and find a need to rebel.

I don't think it's fair to group geeks in with sports fans or women who obsess over shoes. Those people aren't geeks.

I don't think you could fully guide a kid to be a geek unless you play mind games and withdraw love when they show little interest and basically brain wash them.

Under normal circumstances kids will have plenty of opportunities to throw away their collectibles and comics and follow their friends to do other things.

 

[Spider-Who?]

It's only natural for a child to have some amount of shared interests with their parents, since they grow up in an environment based around said interests. For me, I grew up around musicians, so music is a huge part of who I am. Conversely, my family was never into sports, so I never grew up enjoying it. I don't regret either.

With that in mind, I'm sure my kid(s) will grow up with at least a casual interest/knowledge in my own pursuits, but I will never "force" anything. Well, aside from art and music. I believe a love of music and finding a voice through an instrument and creativity is an incredibly important aspect of the human condition. I plan on nurturing a deep love of the creative arts, but when they're old enough to voice their opinions and make their own choices, I'll let them choose whether to continue those pursuits.

 

[Lighthouse]

I think its a horrible idea to raise your kids to bite the heads off chickens.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I think a kid will naturally be curious about what their parents do, so if and when they want to know what you are doing, let them know about it. Maybe they will be interested and maybe not. Either way, accept it. No one wants an overbearing parents telling you what you will like and what you will not like.

Outside of drugs and stuff like that.

 

[Lone]

My wife and I are expecting our first baby, a girl, in September. I definitely want to share my love of comics, movies and music with her but if it doesn't take to her, I wouldn't be disappointed.


I could always put her up for adoption and make a new one.

 

[E-Man]

You should let your kids like whatever it is they like unless it's something harmful to them or others. If your kids are geeks you should let them be geeks, and you should teach them how to enjoy that without worrying about what anyone thinks of that. If they aren't then let them like what they like. I love music, football, comics, and MMA, but if I have a kid who isn't into all of that stuff that's cool too. If they like it I'm sure we'll have tons of fun together watching it.

 

[Lantern Venom]

Anyone raising your kids to be geeks? Any reservations about doing it?

Also to anyone raised to be geeks themselves, any regrets?

I want my kids to form their own personalities and develop their own tastes, but I've shared my interests with them. They like super heroes, fantasy, etc..but if they lose interest as they age, I'm not going force my nerditude on them.

I think its a horrible idea to raise your kids to bite the heads off chickens.

That image always comes into my head too when I hear "geek". LOL!