Monday, September 24, 2012
Parental Spies
Parents always wonder about what their kids are doing when they're not around. When we go out with friends, or even off to college, they never really know exactly what we are up to. When Laertes wants to leave for college, Polonius tries to make sure that he keeps a n eye on him. Polonius is like any parent who worries about their kids. He loves them, and just does what he thinks is best for them, like telling Ophelia to stay away from Hamlet, and sending spies to watch Laertes at college. In Act II, Scene I of Hamlet Polonius sends Reynaldo to watch over Laertes: "Look you, sir,/ Inquire me first what Danskers are in Paris/ And how, and who, what means, and where they keep,/ What company, at what expense; and finding/ By this encompassment and drift of question/ That they do know my son, come you more nearer/ Than your particular demands will touch it./ Take you, as 'twere, some distant knowledge of him,/As thus, 'I know his father and his friends,/ And in part him'" (Act 2.1, lns. 8-16). Here, Polonius is telling Reynaldo to ask around about what Danes are in Paris that Laertes might be hanging out with to see what kind of things they are doing, who they are with, where they live, and how much money they spend to see if Laertes is doing any or all of the things that Polonius is telling him not to do.
Today, paretns have the benefit of technology on their side. Parents can get apps to trck their kid's iPhones or whatever regular phone they might have. They can check their kid's Facebook page to see that they are posting. I think that some spying that parents may or may not do is justifiable especially if they know that their kid has had a past of bad behavior. Like if they know that their kid likes to sneak out and party all the time, then i think that it is justifiable for parents to check in on their kids every now and then, However, I do think that when parents send their kids to college they should gve them some amount of room to grow on their own without their parent's influence. After all, that is one of the entire purposes of college to go away from home and be able to learn and grow in a new environment away from your parents. I think that the way that Polonius' way of spying on Laertes is okay for now, but he should make sure that he gives Laertes a chance to make his own decisions.
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I completely agree that technology has changed the way parents can "spy" on their children. I also liked your point of view on if its okay for parents to spy. My interpretation of your blog was that there needs to be a balace of letting the child have privacy and checking to see if they are okay. Great blog!
ReplyDeleteI think that spying is only justifiable when a parent has an obvious reason to question the kid. Some conversations kids, especially teens, have on phones can easily be taken out of context. A parents best shot with their kid being honest with them; is them being honest with their kid.
ReplyDeleteSpying I don't think should be jusitifiable only if there is a good reason. But, then again what is a good enough reason. Parents I think should ask what's going on before the spying, you know.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rachel. I talked to my parents about the subject and my mom said she doesn't think she would ever see a reason to spy on me. I may not be a secretive person, but I still think that says a lot about my mom as a parent. One of the best things a parent can give their child is trust. It just makes mr want to live up to her standards even more knowing she trusts me that much.
ReplyDeleteI like that your writing was very clear and to the point. it was a little short because so much of it was just the quote. I did like that it was very easy to understand and you said exactly what you wanted to say. If I might i would say that it might help if you embellished your text a little bit more. Also some examples and some details would support your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI love this! You hit everything right on the head or nail or whatever that expression is. I haaaaate hate hate haaaate nosy parents. I feel like going to the length of spying on your child only gives them EVEN MORE reason to do things that they aren't supposed to do.
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