Children like to believe in fairy tales. I don’t blame them. It’s fun to think that at one point in time, somewhere in the world, a cursed princess was brought to life with the kiss of a handsome prince. And during the holidays, it’s exciting to imagine Santa Claus flying across the globe in a sleigh driven by magical reindeer. But is it healthy to do so? Stories of old St. Nick has been told to children for decades, but I’ve recently come across claims that doing so is actually dangerous.
The argument goes that by encouraging a child’s belief in Santa Claus, they’re taking part in paternalistic deception, which is the practice of intending to deceive someone even when they know the thing they’re telling the person is false. So in that regard, a parent convincing their child of Santa’s existence can seem like a cruel joke. Cruel how you may ask? Well according to some, lying about Santa can cause a serious rift between parent and child. The revelation would make the kid furious that they’d been lied to, scammed, and tricked by the people they trusted the most. They’d be messed up for the rest of their lives, apparently. I, on the other hand, completely disagree.
I was told that there was no such thing as Santa Claus when I was about ten years old. I remember the moment clearly. I and the rest of the fourth grade class were standing in line, getting ready to go to the cafeteria for lunch. We’d been talking about where we’d be traveling for Christmas break and what presents he hoped to get. And I was totally stoked. But when I mentioned getting ready for Santa’s visit, two friends of mine scoffed. They claimed he didn’t exist, never had. Any sensible person, they said, knew it was the grown-ups who are the cookies and milk and placed the presents under the tree. I of course just rolled my eyes and went along my merry way.
As the years went by, my belief in the Jolly Red Giant had started to wane. It had pretty much evaporated by the time I entered middle school. Interestingly enough that was the first and only time anyone told me that Santa wasn’t real. Neither my mother nor my grandparents ever took me aside and debunked my innocent fantasy. Rather, the realization came to me naturally. And when it did, I wasn’t angry. A little disappointed, yes, but I never felt like I’d been duped. I just accepted the truth and moved on.
Then again, that’s just me. I know children discover the truth at different times in their lives and in different ways. But an innocent belief in Santa Claus isn’t harmful in any way. Every child deserves to experience a sense of awe and mystery. It spurs their imagination, and gives them a beacon through which they can better understand the true meaning of Christmas. Notions of kindness, compassion, good will, joy, and selfishness will stick to them so much more. It’s just like how fairytales like “Hansel and Gretal” and “Beauty and the Beast” include important life lessons and showcase good morals. For those who only think of the “consequences”, just keep in mind that Santa Clause can keep the spirit of the holiday alive, long after the myth has faded away.
