Re: a recent visit and a GM

She doesn't know my orientation or interest, but she happened to mention the fact that our society has become paranoid about protecting children, to the point that she felt that children are being deprived of their childhood - deprived of the opportunities to explore on their own and learn about the world. At the same time, she feels she has no choice but to participate in this theft, as refusing to participate in this abuse would put her children at risk from the state. It makes me wonder how many other parents feel the same way.

I do believe in a deeper level the great majority of parents only want their children to be happy. As in the case we recently talked about, the parents saw no reason to intervene because the child was happy... And moreover, I think that exactly because the parents want the child to be happy 1) many actively collaborate with the system sincerely believing they are making their children happier, or 2) many others acquiesce because they can see the alternative is worse.

And even just because of good old nostalgia for their own childhood, but many parents I've talked to, including new parents close to my own age, feel like their kids are living less of a great childhood than they and their peers did...

I've never thought parents are "the enemy", at least not in a collective way. I certainly don't like much of what is understood by and upheld as parenthood, but I am sure many parents can be individually reasonable. I fondly remember, during my summer with K, how well I got along with her parents, who seemed to really like me.

As for the GM, may your life be filled with many many more. She sounds very sweet!!!