Moms On Issues
with Sara and Veronica
We're two moms with different backgrounds, jobs and points of view, writing about our opinions on the political and social issues affecting working moms. We'll also keep our eye on the media and the celebrity mom world to highlight issues that are relevant to your life.
Check out our personal blogs: Veronica's Blog and Sara's Blog
The “Greatest Show on Earth” is heading to my town and instead of packing up the kid and heading to the big top, I’m running from the tent like an animal that’s been let out of its cage. That’s my problem with the circus - while I know my son would adore the leaping! the flying! the elephants! I can’t get past images of bullhooks, animals in cages aboard trains for hours being shuttled from city to city.
I hate to deprive my children of things because of my own ethical quandries, but I can’t seem to overcome my ill feelings towards a seemingly benign source of entertainment enough to purchase the tickets. What’s a mom to do? Dig for more information, of course.
It was PR pitch serendipity that the campaign from the local firm representing the Ringling Bros. circus started to email me last week with enticing verbiage about the circus’s high-flying acts and Liberty Ponies. Would I write about it? Did I want to talk to any of the performers?
So seeing my entree into a source of information to ease my worries, I wrote back with questions about how Ringling Bros. handles the treatment of its animals. Of course, I had already perused the company’s website and read its fact sheets. The PR representative was kind enough to resend the site’s information about its treatment of animals, but I craved more.
Ever try googling “circus animal cruelty?” It’s not a pretty picture. But I’m not here to weigh from on high about ethical treatment of animals. Sure, that’s the crux of the issue I’m having. I’m not sure I can get over the potential mistreatment of animals in the circus enough to watch my two-year old gaze in amazement.
Before I became a mom, I promised myself that I’d let my children make their own decisions about what’s right and wrong. I’d let them decide what they believe in with regards to faith. I’d teach them the values I hold dear, but when they’re ready, they’ll have to figure it out for themselves in some part.
Now, though, I’m just a confused mom with a fundamental belief that the big top is wrong, but who doesn’t want to deprive my son of pure kiddie fun.
Moms, what would you do? When have you put your own feelings and beliefs aside so your kids can have pure enjoyment?
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[...] you take your kids to the circus even if you’re ethically opposed? That’s my latest quandry over at Work It! Mom. I’d love to know what you [...]
To circus or not to circus? » Self-Made Mom | October 22nd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
No, I will do what “I” believe is right. When they get old enough, I’ll explain why. They will always be entitled to their own opinion, and when they have their own money, they can even make their own purchasing decisions. But I vote with my pocketbook, and my kids will have to get used to that idea.
I am 42 years old, never been to the circus, and am none the worse for it, I think. There are more humane alternatives, such as a traditional horse competition in a nearby rural area.
SKL | October 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I think as a parent it’s ok to share some of your beliefs with them- especially if it’s something that is fact- like the cruelty that DOES happen with most circus animals. Cruelty in any form should just be something we always teach our kids is wrong.
Steph
Adventures In Babywearing | October 23rd, 2008 at 6:12 am
No kid ever ended up in therapy because he was denied a trip to the circus! Does he even know that it’s coming?
There are plenty of other outings full of “kiddie fun” that your son will probably love and never miss the Big Top
You are the ethical/moral guide for your son right now, until he is old enough to decide for himself. Do what you feel is right(though I urge you to skip the circus, too)!
MelissaS | October 23rd, 2008 at 9:29 am
Guess I just feel differently. For me it was a tradition of lights and sounds, the circus, not the animals. If you want to stay away please do. I go because my family loves it.
pickel | October 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 pm
The unethical treatment of the animals didn’t even occur to me when I took my then 3-yr-old daughter to “The Greatest Show On Earth.” It did, though, dawn on me as we watched the dancing elephants which just struck me as unnatural and wrong.
Generally, I probably wouldn’t take my kids to something I felt was ethically wrong. Plus, at that age, they’re just not old enough to even appreciate the behind the scenes nuance of how the animals are treated.
I have another reason not to go. At a young age, my daughter was completely overwhelmed by the three rings. Too much going on. She didn’t really enjoy it. I’d suggest waiting for the Big Apple Circus which is much smaller and has less animal acts.
Amy@UWM | October 25th, 2008 at 6:37 pm
There are some things that we can let our kids figure out on their own, but I do think that ethical things like animal cruelty must be taught. If that means no RB circus, then no circus. I hear that there are many human-only circuses out there that kids would enjoy. All those ice shows are animal free and kids love those!
Obviously, my kid hasn’t been to the circus either. And she won’t…unless of course school decides to take them. Ugh…that’ll be a tough decision for us.
Hang tough mama!
Veronica | October 26th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
The Ringling Bros. “Bellobration” show came to Boston a few weeks ago and I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a behind the scenes tour with my family. The knowledge about and care of the animals that I witnessed among the staff was incredible and the show itself was so much fun. If you’re interested, you can read a little more about our experience at the Ringling Bros Circus here:
http://www.momcentral.com/blogs/a-family-bellobration-in-boston.html
Stacy | October 27th, 2008 at 11:44 am