You ask him why not. Try to find out what his misconception is, so you can explain about that particular issue. Then he'll learn about the specific area he doesn't know.
If you substitute in someone with the same level of rationality and decision making skills as a young child.. let's say.. a meth addict, does it still work?
Sure, there are some kids - especially older ones - who can take part in discussions and come to logical conclusions, but this is a learned skill over many years. The ability to take control of yourself and be rational is very much part of the definition of being an adult.
Asking a 4 year old kid if he wants to go to school or not is not rational parenting and a child should not make those sorts of decisions.
I remember thinking a lot of things were unfair as a kid and thinking I could make better decisions than my parents - and I was considered a pretty smart kid. Now I'm of my parents' age, I know I was mostly wrong. Adults and parents are there for a reason. They can make skilled judgments, and kids can't.
If you substitute in someone with the same level of rationality and decision making skills as a young child.. let's say.. a meth addict, does it still work?
Sure, there are some kids - especially older ones - who can take part in discussions and come to logical conclusions, but this is a learned skill over many years. The ability to take control of yourself and be rational is very much part of the definition of being an adult.
Asking a 4 year old kid if he wants to go to school or not is not rational parenting and a child should not make those sorts of decisions.
I remember thinking a lot of things were unfair as a kid and thinking I could make better decisions than my parents - and I was considered a pretty smart kid. Now I'm of my parents' age, I know I was mostly wrong. Adults and parents are there for a reason. They can make skilled judgments, and kids can't.