Cultivating Patriotism in Our Children

Aug 9 marked Singapore’s National Day, and the little island nation celebrated its 57th birthday with the usual fanfare, that is, a heart-stirring 2.5-hour-long parade featuring songs, dance and performances by local artistes.

Of course I had to take this opportunity to try to garner a little patriotism in my child, who currently holds two passports – one from Singapore and one from America. The latter was received on the basis of jus sanguinis –meaning “right of blood,” whereby at least one parent is a citizen of the country – and the former due to the right of jus soli*, which refers to the location of his birth, which was Singapore.

*Just so you know, Singapore, like China, does not give citizenship on the right of jus soli if neither parent is a citizen.

Let’s start with first clarifying that I believe in a spirit of patriotism but not nationalism. What’s the difference? Helpful Professor helpfully replies: “The key difference between nationalism and patriotism is that nationalism is the belief in an exclusionary and insular nation-state, while patriotism is the non-exclusionary love of your own nation. Here is a breakdown of the differences: Nationalism is a belief that your nation sits that the top of a hierarchy of nations.”

Now that we’ve got that cleared up, let’s get down and talk about how you can practically inculcate a spirit of patriotism in your child. Start simple: For younger children below 3, introduce them to the country’s national flag. Draw, color and make your own national flag for them to wave around the house. Then, further their knowledge by looking up the national symbols, particularly the ones in categories your child is interested in. For example, if your child is into animals, look up the national animal. Better yet, visit it at the Beijing Zoo. Don’t forget lesser-known national symbols like the national flower, bird and, in the unique case of America, tree!

There's more to this story! This article originally appeared on our sister site, Jingkids International.

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READ: Travel By Planes vs. Trains in China During Covid

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Giovanni Martini wrote:
BauLuo wrote:
By the way don't messing with the noble Pynchon name, They was there on the ark with Noah, mucking out the goat holds and the serpentine enclosures, so don't ya go dissing them,

Today's Anglophone folks present a spectacle never seen in history: a people that prides itself on cultural promiscuity; whose only boast is that it is harmless. Something like an herbivorous chameleon.

So there we was, all sitting down at the cafe. Gino had taken on a pale greenish hue and was munching down on lettuce and broccoli. The rest of us were blowing smoke rings and contemplating the clouds, which where few and far between, being as it was, a crystiline, young summer's day. HairyMaryAnne sauntered by, and without permission, launched onto my lap and began squirming. Nick Serpento began calculating the horses, with the help of Timmy, whom was calculating the gait of ants and configuring their various symmetrys. Just then Alex, the Ugandan, dropped in, black as hades, Hairy Mary contiued squirming luxuriantly, Gino was turning a paler shade of white, Timmy was eating ants, for to better determine their leg structure as they trod upon his tongue, Nick was doing calculus based on Timmy's reports.. All in all just a normal day.

Now Alex, the Ugandian, says `look I hope I aint messin up your whitey party?!' Gino squints firmly. Hairy Mary gives him a peck on the cheek. I buy him a beer. Micky and Geza, just then dropped by, as well as Xaio Zhang. Now don't get me started on that scene.

Nice try. Not quite Thomas Pinched-one, but nice try.

[/quote]

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

BauLuo wrote:
Giovanni Martini wrote:
BauLuo wrote:

Today's Anglophone folks present a spectacle never seen in history: a people that prides itself on cultural promiscuity; whose only boast is that it is harmless. Something like an herbivorous chameleon.

So there we was, all sitting down at the cafe. Gino had taken on a pale greenish hue and was munching down on lettuce and broccoli. The rest of us were blowing smoke rings and contemplating the clouds, which where few and far between, being as it was, a crystiline, young summer's day. HairyMaryAnne sauntered by, and without permission, launched onto my lap and began squirming. Nick Serpento began calculating the horses, with the help of Timmy, whom was calculating the gait of ants and configuring their various symmetrys. Just then Alex, the Ugandan, dropped in, black as hades, Hairy Mary contiued squirming luxuriantly, Gino was turning a paler shade of white, Timmy was eating ants, for to better determine their leg structure as they trod upon his tongue, Nick was doing calculus based on Timmy's reports.. All in all just a normal day.

Now Alex, the Ugandian, says `look I hope I aint messin up your whitey party?!' Gino squints firmly. Hairy Mary gives him a peck on the cheek. I buy him a beer. Micky and Geza, just then dropped by, as well as Xaio Zhang. Now don't get me started on that scene.

Nice try. Not quite Thomas Pinched-one, but nice try.

There is a bunghole down in Milwaukee. where folks joust about, talk abut Wittgenstien, rub elbow a bit, rub noses in the dog shit. Might be a secured community for you in sennescence. Walmart has a special on tomatoes.

[/quote]William Faulkner being queried by a reporter about his writing, quote `Are you drunk when you write this stuff?' William Faulkner's reply, `Yeah I'm usually drunk when I write, but sober when I edit', That second part causes me some complications.

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

Giovanni Martini wrote:
BauLuo wrote:

Today's Anglophone folks present a spectacle never seen in history: a people that prides itself on cultural promiscuity; whose only boast is that it is harmless. Something like an herbivorous chameleon.

So there we was, all sitting down at the cafe. Gino had taken on a pale greenish hue and was munching down on lettuce and broccoli. The rest of us were blowing smoke rings and contemplating the clouds, which where few and far between, being as it was, a crystiline, young summer's day. HairyMaryAnne sauntered by, and without permission, launched onto my lap and began squirming. Nick Serpento began calculating the horses, with the help of Timmy, whom was calculating the gait of ants and configuring their various symmetrys. Just then Alex, the Ugandan, dropped in, black as hades, Hairy Mary contiued squirming luxuriantly, Gino was turning a paler shade of white, Timmy was eating ants, for to better determine their leg structure as they trod upon his tongue, Nick was doing calculus based on Timmy's reports.. All in all just a normal day.

Now Alex, the Ugandian, says `look I hope I aint messin up your whitey party?!' Gino squints firmly. Hairy Mary gives him a peck on the cheek. I buy him a beer. Micky and Geza, just then dropped by, as well as Xaio Zhang. Now don't get me started on that scene.

Nice try. Not quite Thomas Pinched-one, but nice try.

[/quote]There is a bunghole down in Milwaukee. where folks joust about, talk abut Wittgenstien, rub elbow a bit, rub noses in the dog shit. Might be a secured community for you in sennescence. Walmart has a special on tomatoes.

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

Today's Anglophone folks present a spectacle never seen in history: a people that prides itself on cultural promiscuity; whose only boast is that it is harmless. Something like an herbivorous chameleon.

[/quote]

So there we was, all sitting down at the cafe. Gino had taken on a pale greenish hue and was munching down on lettuce and broccoli. The rest of us were blowing smoke rings and contemplating the clouds, which where few and far between, being as it was, a crystiline, young summer's day. HairyMaryAnne sauntered by, and without permission, launched onto my lap and began squirming. Nick Serpento began calculating the horses, with the help of Timmy, whom was calculating the gait of ants and configuring their various symmetrys. Just then Alex, the Ugandan, dropped in, black as hades, Hairy Mary contiued squirming luxuriantly, Gino was turning a paler shade of white, Timmy was eating ants, for to better determine their leg structure as they trod upon his tongue, Nick was doing calculus based on Timmy's reports.. All in all just a normal day.

Now Alex, the Ugandian, says `look I hope I aint messin up your whitey party?!' Gino squints firmly. Hairy Mary gives him a peck on the cheek. I buy him a beer. Micky and Geza, just then dropped by, as well as Xaio Zhang. Now don't get me started on that scene.

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

Giovanni Martini wrote:

What is wrong with exclusion of people who do not fit into one's culture? There is extensive literature that indicates social capital is directly related to relative homogenity.

I have dear friends that are of Ukrainian, Italian, Zimbabwaan, Chinese.Jamaican, Polish, extraction. Does my friendship with them in any way diminish my life as a white Anglo-Saxon? Not in the least, they enhance it. The only division of people I recognize is asshole/not asshole and there are lots of both sorts about; it just requires a bit of intelligence to sort them out.

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

Personally I don't much care for governments and countries. I do care for, indeed love, a few individual human beings, of various races. Love your country? Patriotism? I don't even know what these words could possibly mean.

I am Doktor Aethelwise Snapdragoon.

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