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16 Things We Need To Stop Teaching Children Immediately

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Teaching children is a right of passage as a parent or as an adult in a child’s life, and it’s one of the best things we, as adults, can do for a child. That said, not everything taught to children is either done with the best intentions or necessarily meant for children to see and/or comprehend. 

Recently a Redditor took to the thread to ask the question, “what do we need to stop teaching children?” Here are the top 5 things Redditors believe we should stop teaching our children.

1. To Not Ask Questions

Teacher Explains Lesson to a Diverse Classroom of Bright Children, Asks Questions. In Elementary School Group of Bright Multiethnic Kids Learning Science, Raising Hands with an Answer.
Image credit: Depositphotos – Gorodenkoff

One Redditor replied, “Not to question things or think critically. The number of times I’ve seen people just shut down their kids for asking a question is wild. It’s no wonder there are so many stupid people out there when they were taught from a young age that asking questions is a bad thing.”

One user responded to this comment with, “That was my mom. Whenever I asked her something, she always said “why do you need to know this?” 

2. Adults Are Always Right

Mixed group business people in office
Image credit: Depositphotos – monkeybusiness

Another Redditor added, “That adults (or anyone older than them) are always right no matter the situation.”

A user responded, “I was told ‘because I said so’ constantly as a child. I’d continue asking why and then receive ‘because I am your parent and am always right.”

3. To Fear Failure

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Pixelshot via Canva.com

“That failure is something to be ashamed of and to avoid at all costs. But, unfortunately, we all fail sometimes, and we need to be able to accept that reality,” one replied. Another shared the quote, “THE only man who makes no mistakes is the man who never does anything.”—President Roosevelt.

Finally, a third Star Trekkie shared, “It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness; that is life.” Captain Jean-Luc Picard.”

4. There Are No Consequences 

two kids peeking through two glasses of orange juice
Image credit: Depositphotos – AlexNazaruk

One Redditor said, “That they can scream and throw tantrums to get what they want. The number of parents who give in to that noise and enable them to become monsters addicted to tablets is ridiculous.”

 After that a user replied, “That their words and actions do not have consequences and that mummy and daddy will always clean up their messes.”

5. If He’s Mean to You, He Likes You

mischievous bully child expressing revenge, retaliation or attitude problem, isolated
Image credit: Depositphotos – studiograndouest

One person volunteered a harmful mentality to hold, “If he’s mean to you, he likes you. I tell my daughter, ‘It doesn’t matter if he likes you. If he’s not kind, he’s not worth your time.”

A second clarified, “For little kids, this is possibly true as being a pest is their way of seeking attention. However, we need to teach little boys and girls to set, communicate, and respect boundaries at a young age. Easier said than done because many adults need help understanding this.”

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6. They DO NOT Need to show Affection

Loving grandmother and grandfather cuddling on a couch with cute teenage grandson
Image credit: Depositphotos – photographee.eu

A user commented, “You need to hug/kiss someone when you see them or are leaving, and that includes family. If you don’t want to kiss, that’s fine. Say goodbye in your own polite way.” 

After that, one Redditor said, “I hate when people force their kid to hug me bye. My husband’s side of the fam sometimes pressures our nephew into hugs, but I’m always saying, “no, it’s okay if he doesn’t.”

7. That You Need To Be Friends With Everyone

positive affirmations for kids
Image Credit: Shironosov via Canva.com

“That you need to be friends with everyone,” one replied. “Help them understand that it is normal and healthy to have a variety of friendships and that not everyone will be a good fit as a friend.”

“For example, you can explain that sometimes people have different interests, values, or personalities that make it difficult for them to get along or to have a meaningful friendship. It’s a perfect example of helping kids establish a growth mindset.”

8. Their Feelings & Opinions Don’t Matter

two girls back to back pouting with arms crossed
Image credit: Depositphotos – photography33

One Redditor had this to say, “That because they are kids their feelings don’t matter.”

Another Redditor commented, “ I remember that one day, I was feeling really depressed and told a teacher about it. His answer was “you´re to young to be depressed.”

9. That Play Ends When You Reach Adulthood

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
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That play ends when you reach adulthood. But play is essential, even when we’re grown. It helps maintain a positive mindset and experience,” shared one. “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing. – George Bernard Shaw.”

Another added, “When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” – CS Lewis.”

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10. To Ignore Bullies

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Pixelshot via Canva.com

“To ignore bullies,” one admitted. “As a former teacher, it does nothing to address the issue. The bullying persists 100% of the time.” Another shared, “I still feel the effects of feeling like a second-class citizen (I’m 40). I was bullied in grade and middle school, and it took a long time for me to realize I deserve happiness as much as the next person.”

“I’ve ignored kicks to the head in the locker room, and the classroom can confirm ignoring it shows that you’ll take it. It’s very anti-Reddit, but the best thing I ever did was fight back. Bullies want to bully, not get hit in the face; getting hit in the face sucks,” a third user replied.

11. You Can Get What You Want if You’re Nice

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Rober Kneschke via Canva.com

“You can get what you want if you’re nice,” one replied. “It teaches children how to be manipulative and dishonest. Instead, teach them to handle ‘No.’ Too many people grow up and get offended at being told no.”

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12. While They Are Special, They Are No More Special Than Anyone Else

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
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“While they are special, they are no more special than anyone else. I regularly tell my students, ‘All of you are unique, but none of you are special,” one suggested. However, a second argued, “I would disagree. I would add the caveat that No one is really special to everyone. But everyone has the capability of being special to someone.”

13. Forced Apologies

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Valerii Honcharuk via Canva.com

“I don’t believe in forced apologies. They’re not honest apologies, and the other child knows this. I also don’t feel adults should force children to accept an apology. Forced apologies and acceptances don’t have any benefits,” one confessed.

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14. Saying Please and I’m Sorry Aren’t Magical Fixes

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Valerii Honcharuk via Canva.com

“Please isn’t a magic word. It often won’t get you what you want. And I’m sorry doesn’t erase a wrong and is only one small part of an apology, which the wronged party is not obligated to accept,” another explained.

15. “I Before E, Except After C.” This Rule Has So Many Exceptions That It Should Not Be Considered a Rule.

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: 81a / Photolibrary / Photo Images via Canva.com

“I before E, except after C.” This rule has so many exceptions that it should not be considered a rule,” one stated. Finally, someone elaborated, “Except when you’re a foreign neighbor, Keith receives eight counterfeit beige sleighs from feisty, caffeinated weightlifters. Weird.”

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16. Clean Your Plate

Things We Need To Stop Teaching
Image Credit: Creativa Images via Canva.com

A Redditor said, “Clean your plate. Making kids continue to eat when they are full leads to eating disorders. It will at least make them fat.”

We hope you enjoyed this Reddit picks list of things we need to stop teaching children. Do you have anything else to add that you think we need to stop teaching our children?

This article is inspired by the internet and does not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Motherhood Life Balance.

More from Motherhood Life Balance:

  • 10 Things Boomers Passionately Dislike About Modern Society
  • 18 and Know it All?! Lessons EVERY 18 Year Old Should Learn Before Entering Adulthood
  • 10 Surprising Phrases Your Partner Is Using to Gaslight You
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