1976 Quote by Marcelo Figueras
““When you're a kid, the world can be bounded in a nutshell. In geographical terms, a child's universe is a space that comprises home, school and—possibly—the neighbourhood where your cousins or your grandparents live. In my case, the universe sat comfortably within a small area of Flores that ran from the junction of Boyacá and Avellaneda (my house), to the Plaza Flores (my school). My only forays beyond the area were when we went on holiday (to Córdoba or Bariloche or to the beach) or occasional, increasingly rare visits to my grandparents' farm in Dorrego, in the province of Buenos Aires. We get our fist glimpse of the big wide world from those we love unconditionally. If we see our elders suffer because they cannot get a job, or see them demoted, or working for a pittance, our compassion translates these observations and we conclude that the world outside is cruel and brutal. (This is politics.) If we hear our parents bad-mouthing certain politicians and agreeing with their opponents, our compassion translates these observations and we conclude that the former are bad guys and the latter are good guys. (This is politics.) If we observe palpable fear in our parents at the very sight of soldiers and policemen, our compassion translates our observations and we conclude that, though all children have bogeymen, ours wear uniforms. (This is politics.)””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal Reflections on Politics, Author Unknown, 2000s
A child's limited view of the world is shaped by family experiences, which later inform political opinions and perceptions of authority.
In simple terms: Kids learn politics from family.
Recognize how early influences shape your views.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- parental guidance
- community discussions
- media consumption
- educational settings
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How have your childhood observations shaped your political beliefs?
- Can you separate familial influence from personal reasoning?
Early experiences may oversimplify complex realities, leading to bias.