Calvin, the Bill of Rights only applies to government not censoring you. Parents can censor their kids — especially 6 year old kids — as much as they want.
Parents censor and suppress kids exposure to ideas and information that conflict with their own worldview. They don’t want to have to explain different mores and social standards of conduct. And they want their children to share their prejudices, biases, and fear of those who are different. Then they are surprised when the kids become withdrawn, resentful, angry teenagers.
Freedom assigned to the bill of rights and all that says the Government can not censor or suppress us. Our parents have a whole different book of rules. The hand that holds the “allowance” and the paddle trumps all. See how I put trump in there. Clever, no?
Kind of off topic, but brought to mind John Mulaney’s routine about our regular need to invoke the crucial third Amendment to prevent soldiers from quartering in our houses. Always cracks me up.
I have long wondered: are there some ideas too dangerous to be allowed? The Nazis gave us an example of what I mean. The world was within a hairsbreadth of fascism being the predominant form of government in the world.
“So you wouldn’t object to being exposed to…” First Amendment also covers freedom of association. I don’t have to be affiliated with someone else’s expression. So, yeah, I can object.
The bill of rights is supposed to apply to legal adults, of course children still have rights, but lack the experience and maturity to handle all of the subtleties of real life. That isn’t to say parents can do ANYthing they want to their kids, that’s why we have things like CPS.
When my sister was 11 (back in 1972), she got her hands on a copy of “The Exorcist” (book, not movie) unbeknownst to my parents. When they found out about it they were concerned, so they asked her what she thought of it. She said “It was OK, but you probably wouldn’t like it. It’s pretty intense.”
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
Calvin, the Bill of Rights only applies to government not censoring you. Parents can censor their kids — especially 6 year old kids — as much as they want.
Templo S.U.D. over 4 years ago
you just had to ask, Calvin
codycab over 4 years ago
What part of “NO!” don’t you understand, Calvin?
eromlig over 4 years ago
Pretty soon Calvin will be needing the Fifth Amendment.
in.amongst over 4 years ago
Calvin seems to be constitutionally incapable of following the constitution.
conuly over 4 years ago
Honestly, what are you, Mr. Calvin’s Dad, some kinda n00b? You walked right into that!
jpayne4040 over 4 years ago
Dad is a lawyer, Calvin. You are never going to win this.
Algolei I over 4 years ago
I’m all for censoring and suppressing my ideas that I find distasteful. If I weren’t, I’d probably call my nephew’s ex-wife many very rude names!
Censoring and suppressing are what have made me the paragon of virtue at which my neighbours rarely find cause to throw vegetables anymore.
Skeptical Meg over 4 years ago
My kid? I would not object. I also control where he goes, and offer context as needed.
pathfinder over 4 years ago
Yeah, My house, my rules. Had to tell my kids that. They didn’t like it. They got over that when they tried being homeless on the street.
cubswin2016 over 4 years ago
Dad should have Calvin explain himself before he starts agreeing with him.
treutvid over 4 years ago
Seems lately that suppression of ideas is coming from all sides.
Whatcouldgowrong over 4 years ago
Parents censor and suppress kids exposure to ideas and information that conflict with their own worldview. They don’t want to have to explain different mores and social standards of conduct. And they want their children to share their prejudices, biases, and fear of those who are different. Then they are surprised when the kids become withdrawn, resentful, angry teenagers.
Troglodyte over 4 years ago
Define “some people”, Calvin. Like your parents maybe, f’rinstance?
donwalter over 4 years ago
See this cake? You can’t eat it…
djtenltd over 4 years ago
Calvin never sounds this intelligent in the classroom, that’s a for sure!
WCraft Premium Member over 4 years ago
Responsible? Culturally educated? Seems that those two have gone by the wayside in the past 25 years…
carlzr over 4 years ago
Calvin’s father knows he is talking to a boy whose snowmen caused their neighbors to sell their houses and move away.
MikeM_inMD over 4 years ago
So, is Calvin trying to see an R-rated movie or buy the latest rap album?
Otis Rufus Driftwood over 4 years ago
In the last panel, the father is attempting to tell Calvin we shouldn’t oversimplify things.
vaughnrl2003 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Freedom assigned to the bill of rights and all that says the Government can not censor or suppress us. Our parents have a whole different book of rules. The hand that holds the “allowance” and the paddle trumps all. See how I put trump in there. Clever, no?
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
If it ain’t provocative, it ain’t art.
Snolep over 4 years ago
Kind of off topic, but brought to mind John Mulaney’s routine about our regular need to invoke the crucial third Amendment to prevent soldiers from quartering in our houses. Always cracks me up.
swanridge over 4 years ago
“Please, just answer the very pointed and specific questions, so I can twist your words around to my liking!”
flagmichael over 4 years ago
I have long wondered: are there some ideas too dangerous to be allowed? The Nazis gave us an example of what I mean. The world was within a hairsbreadth of fascism being the predominant form of government in the world.
Rauderi over 4 years ago
“So you wouldn’t object to being exposed to…” First Amendment also covers freedom of association. I don’t have to be affiliated with someone else’s expression. So, yeah, I can object.
mistercatworks over 4 years ago
Children used to be gradually exposed to the extremes of society. Now they leap out of a computer monitor straight into their heads.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member over 4 years ago
Can’t wait to see Dad explaining to Calvin that he has to wear a mask.
yangeldf over 4 years ago
The bill of rights is supposed to apply to legal adults, of course children still have rights, but lack the experience and maturity to handle all of the subtleties of real life. That isn’t to say parents can do ANYthing they want to their kids, that’s why we have things like CPS.
Lightpainter over 4 years ago
Good try Calvin, but Dad is circumventing you.
fritzoid Premium Member over 4 years ago
When my sister was 11 (back in 1972), she got her hands on a copy of “The Exorcist” (book, not movie) unbeknownst to my parents. When they found out about it they were concerned, so they asked her what she thought of it. She said “It was OK, but you probably wouldn’t like it. It’s pretty intense.”
Back to Big Mike over 4 years ago
He’s one smart kid for someone who hates school.
hagarthehorrible over 4 years ago
This six year old is way beyond his age. Politician in the making.
The Pro from Dover over 4 years ago
Can I get A Clockwork Orange from the DVD store?
n00b about 1 month ago
cuss words…