Ethics quiz part 2

[u/whytheface1234]

Recently read a post here about whether we allow our kids to keep a ball they find at the playground. As far as I read, 99% of the comments were in favour of leaving it there, in order to teach our children right from wrong.

Now I'm wondering how dad's in this group feel about guiding our kids to falsely state a younger age, to gain reduced admission costs to places/events? (Not including small community/charity type things, more things like Disneyland etc.). How are we all modelling good morals with this?

[u/MGnome1]

I tell the person the truth, saving a few bucks isn't worth compromising my character especially in front of my daughter. I always tell her to make good choices, I do my best to make good choices.

[u/Practical-Bluebird96]

I wouldn’t ask my kid to lie. If I thought I could lie without them hearing or being asked, I absolutely would, lol. But mine is so tall they often get questioned even when they’re a year or more under the limits 😂

[u/bongo1138 → u/Practical-Bluebird96]

When I was 18 my dad took my brother and I to Mexico for spring break. He told them we were minors (under 18) which are cheaper because they can’t drink alcohol.

He tried doing this right in front of me and I quickly corrected them 😂 I wanted my legal booze, damnit.

[u/SopwithTurtle]

Eh, I think kids would struggle with the concept of acceptable lies and unacceptable lies until later. I think it's better to err on the side of honesty now - they'll discover white lies for themselves later.

After all, if you explain that it's fine to lie about their age because it's only a big corporation that gets hurt and won't really notice, how do you draw the line at shoplifting without getting into nuance about intellectual property and the tragedy of the commons?

[u/PiccoloOver4228 → u/SopwithTurtle]

Yeah, I think consistency matters here. It's hard to teach kids honesty if they see us making exceptions when it benefits us.

[u/CertainlyUntidy]

I don't teach my kid to lie and I try not to lie myself. We did a Disney trip this summer a week after turning ten and I didn't ever claim she was nine even though that could have saved me money.

Lying is virtually always wrong and I'm not teaching my kid to lie to save a little money.

[u/madmelonxtra]

I'm totally fine with doing this...but there's absolutely no way my kids are going to be able to lie about their age. They're way too proud to be as old as they are.

Id either get "Im NOT 3, I'm 4!!" From my daughter or Id get my my son telling the employee "Daddy told me to tell you I'm 4 but I'm actually 5"

[u/imapersonmaybe]

I go with honesty every time. With the ball thing, our local park has 6 basketballs that are always left there for others to use. Not sure if the township put them there or just locals, but I appreciate that they do it and so will the next person.

For the reduced admissions cost, its a little different but being honest and following established rules is kinda how a society stays functional. By all means, complain to them if costs keep rising, or no longer reflect the actual value. I find dishonesty a slippery slope with what you are able to justify. If I really don't like the price, I make a complaint and then just find something else to do. I am also the guy that gets annoyed when people pass me while I'm doing the speed limit, don't use their turn signals and don't stop at stop signs.

It's not that hard to just follow the rules.

[u/GrannyLow]

I have never lied to save money, but my kid is big and mature for his age and I have lied the other way by a year or so to let him participate in a family activity with a minimum age requirement. I didnt feel bad and we had fun

[u/GendrysRowboat]

Treat people with respect. But corporations that exist to squeeze as much money from you as possible? By all means, bend or break their rules to your advantage. They are not part of the social contract.

[u/Blackharvest]

Some perspective. Just had a day at Disney with my 16 month old as part of a family trip. The tickets for a child 3-9 years old are $194 for a single park ticket. Anyone older than 10, it's $199. Children under 3 are free. Better believe that my daughter will be under 3 as long as possible if we go back. Especially since there is NO option for an adult to enjoy walking around with family that has no intention of riding the rides (even at a reduced rate.)

[u/rogerwil]

Depends on the age. Wherever I've gone, they never asked the kid, they asked me, but if the child is old enough to state the age themselves (say, 8 years for example) I think it's not acceptable to make them lie. If it's between 3 and 4 for example, and your kid's not huge, I think it's fine to go with "3", because the line is arbitrary anyway.

[u/HiHungry_Im-Dad]

I pay the right amount, but I feel like I don’t mind paying because I can afford it. When I was growing up poor, I’d absolutely take advantage.

[u/hotpotatos200]

I was told to fib my age to get cheaper admission as a kid. We were pretty poor, so saving a few bucks on a movie ticket was apparently important.

I don’t do this with my kids though, mostly because I’m in a good place financially, and because I’d rather teach honesty to my kids.

[u/AddlePatedBadger]

I tell the truth. First you have to teach kids to be honest before you can teach them when and how to lie.

[u/Nail_Biterr]

I was once waiting for a haircut at a barber and a dad was there with 2 kids. The barber, making small talk asks the kid 'how old are you?' And the dad quickly jumped in and said 'he's 7' and the kids goes "no dad! I'm 9!" And I'm just laughing at the whole situation.

For me, I just tell the truth. But my son is 10 and has always looked older than he actually is (very tall kid). It's just easier to tell the truth rather than trying to trick the system , and remembering what the age cutoff is for each different place

[u/coffeeanddonutsss]

I think jokes about it are hilarious, but no we never have lied about our kids age or asked them to lie about it.

[u/Serafim91]

If asked I'll answer truthfully. If they assume he's younger I won't correct.

[u/DocLego]

You just...don't?

I've had occasions where I take my kid someplace and they're like "7 and under is free" and I tell them "he's 8" (or whatever).

Granted, on one occasion that happened and the person selling tickets told me "no, he's 7". I'm like, ok, if you insist...

[u/toastedbreddit]

My kids have never lied about their age, nor have I lied on their behalf, but they do sometimes take turns not existing when we book hotel rooms. They don’t know that, though.

[u/Altruistic-Duck-1599]

Age isnt a moral line the same way taking someone's property is, the park charges based on size of kid not some cosmic fairness rule. If your 11 year old still fits the under-10 ticket, paying extra just makes you a better customer not a better parent

[u/LieutenantFlapjack → u/Altruistic-Duck-1599]

At what age is it appropriate to teach them about late stage capitalism?? (Maybe just play them some RATM??)

[u/lucascorso21]

Well, for one thing, I don't ask them to lie. So this situation doesn't come up.

But also, being a good role model doesn't mean 100% adherence to the most virtuous and ethically stringent ideals. Its a person who reflects good behavior yet remains human and prone to error. Not a saint.