It’s less than three weeks to go Christmas The day has come, children all over the world will be eagerly counting down to Santa’s arrival.
For many families, believing in Santa is part of the magic of Christmas.
However, one scientist argued that parents should not lie to their children about its existence.
Joseph Millum, senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of St Andrews, says it’s ‘inappropriate’ to tell your children that Santa is real.
‘I believe that telling your child that Santa exists is a mistake,’ she wrote in her post Discussion.
‘It’s deceptive, it breaks their trust and can cause anxiety and frustration over the benefits that can be provided without lying.’
Dr Millum admits that ‘there are some very bad family planning options’.
However, he added: ‘If you have a choice, consider having a magical Christmas where everyone knows that Santa is real.’
For many people, believing in Santa is part of the magic of Christmas. However, one scientist argued that parents should not lie to their children about its existence
Growing up, most children are told that if they are good, Santa Claus will come down their chimney on Christmas Day, giving them presents to open on Christmas Day.
Dr Millum says the incident leaves new parents with a ‘crisis’.
‘Should you practice what you preach and tell your children the truth?’ he asked.
Or is there something special about Santa that makes this lie good?’
A number of previous studies sought to understand the effects of the ‘Santa lie’ on children’s emotions.
In 1994, scientists at the University of Texas studied 52 children who no longer believed in Santa Claus.
Their results showed that children discovered the truth for themselves at the age of seven on average – and often with interest.
However, this discovery made many parents sad.
Growing up, most children are told that if they are good, Santa Claus will come down their chimney on Christmas Day, giving them presents to open on Christmas Day. Dr Millum says the incident leaves new parents with a ‘crisis’.
Writing in their study, published in Child Psychiatry and Human DevelopmentThe researchers, led by Dr Carl Anderson, said: ‘Children report that children are especially happy when they learn the truth.
‘However, the parents described themselves as being very sad about what their son had found.’
Meanwhile, a study from earlier this year asked 48 children about how they found out Santa wasn’t real, and how that discovery made them feel.
The results of the study showed that children discovered the truth at the age of eight more often – and a third reported any depression.
‘Experiences of depression were often temporary, and the majority of children and adults who said they celebrated Santa with their children or had done so before,’ the team, led by Candice Mills, wrote in their research, published. in Developmental Psychology.
Despite these findings, Dr Millam argues that there is ‘no conclusive evidence’ that belief in Santa controls Christmas events.
‘There seems to be no conclusive evidence that believing in Santa is important for enjoying Christmas, developing a child’s imagination, or improving critical thinking,’ he said.
‘And that benefit can still be given to children without fraud.
‘The argument for telling Santa a lie based on its intended positive consequences is weak.’
