This sort of thing doesn't keep me up at night, but...

cb7893

10-Year Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
3,484
As I was driving back to the office after lunch, I stopped at a red light behind a vehicle which had this decal on the back window:

il_570xN.673658432_79p2.jpg

I can't put my finger on why, but I can't stop thinking about it. It seems to be amping up the "Proud Army Dad" thing beyond simply being proud of my kid.

On the one hand, DW and I are proud of our DS for what he has accomplished and proud of what he's doing.

On the other hand, I was raised in a family, in which calling attention to one's accomplishments or those of one's children was absolutely verboten (not that I ever gave my parents much reason to brag). And never would you compare your kid to another publicly. Other than our DS and an older brother who flew in Vietnam, there is no military history in my family since the Civil War.

Also, over the years of being on this forum, I recall a number of hopeful future cadets and mids who (like DS#2) got medically DQed. Sometimes the DQ has nothing to do with fighting ability, but rather a long term potential serious health issue or a financial liability for the DoD due to some medical condition.

I am very aware of the disconnect between the military and society at large, so I am curious how the sentiment expressed by that decal fits into that dynamic. IOW, does it help to bridge or widen the divide? Or does it mean nothing to those who see it?

I ask this question here, because SAF is my safe space.
 
Agree with you, CB. At first this seems like an amusing joke, reminding me of the old "my kid can beat up your honor student" bumper sticker. But you are right, too many parents are using their kids as trophies, to brage put down other parents whose kids aren't "up to the same standard."

I work with a large number of clients and many of them have sent their children to Ivy league schools, who became doctors, lawyers etc etc. I am far more impressed with the parents who have managed their Down's syndrome child through crazy hardships and still keep a positive attitude.

I am very proud of my DS's intention to serve in the military while also pursing a college degree. But does this make me any less proud of my three other non-military children? Absolutely not.

So to answer your question, I chuckled at first, but your comments were thoughtful and worthy of discussion.
 
I read that as a brag on "Your Son." ;)

Seriously, who does this? I've had enough divisiveness. "My kid is better than yours" is beyond the pale. SMH.
 
Agree that it seems to take the "Proud Army Dad" thing too far. But I can understand it as a reaction on multiple levels to some prevailing attitudes in society (safe spaces, everyone gets a trophy, helicopter parents, etc.). It reminds me of the meme "1944: 18 year olds storm the beaches of Normandy into almost certain death. 2016: 18 year olds need a safe place because words hurt their feelings."

Like you cb, I tend to be reserved in calling attention to my kids' accomplishments. And like AROTC-dad, I am no less proud of DD's twin sister who is pursuing music and art. But the military commitment does make a difference in how we relate to DD compared to her sister and how we relate (or don't relate) to the concerns of other parents. I get the sentiment, but in general I think bumper stickers only serve to make the vehicle owner feel superior to others. It's much better to to let the commitment and accomplishments speak for themselves, even if we do have to hold our tongues sometimes in light of the prevailing attitudes (except in this forum--usually, but not always!).
 
I have seen so an abundance of this type thing on social media as well. Parents of those serving posting memes with pictures of soldiers along side what the posters often refer to as "Millenial cupcakes"....the whole my kid vs typical college kid thing. I also was wondering recently what those types of posts do for crossing the great divide between military vs civilian. I dont think it is a bridge. I think it furthers the disconnect.
 
I think the problem with this sticker is that it puts down another's son. To me, it's one thing to promote your kid's sport/school/whatever. That sticker takes it to another level, and it's the level of comparison that's disturbing.

I've got a few stickers, such as "XYZ hs band mom" "Sea Cadets" and "XYZ school Mom". I think those type of stickers promote the school or activity, which we do happily support and are proud of.
 
I agree with EOD/SEALmom that it's the "my son" versus "your son" aspect of the decal that isn't helpful and is not the best message. I also agree that XYZMom or XYZDad is OK.
 
Agree with EOD/SEALmom... why celebrate your kid by putting another down? Its great to be proud, but why do you need to slander others in the process. What if that other kid goes on to cure cancer, devote their life to children in need, teach in inner city schools, or a million other things that parents should be proud of. This contributes to the military/civilian divide. Its important for both sides, not just civilians, to reach across those lines and get to know the other side. It fosters better communities, support, and understanding.
 
I have never taken offense to the "Proud of my Eagle Scout" "Parent of HS Honor Student" stickers or cars with multiple college stickers. It showed that they are proud of there kids accomplishments. I am extreamly proud of my midshipman. But I would never want to imply that he is any better than someone else's son or daughter.
 
I'm guessing that the owner of that sticker only has one child? Most families have more than one child and unless all of your children enter into military service, this would certainly be divisive among the siblings.

My daughter is an ED nurse and she has said to me (when we saw a "I Narcon'd your honor student" car decal), "I have definitely Narcon'd your honor student!" She then proceded to give me a clue about how pervasive the drug culture is at our local high school. How very sad.
 
I think the problem with this sticker is that it puts down another's son. To me, it's one thing to promote your kid's sport/school/whatever. That sticker takes it to another level, and it's the level of comparison that's disturbing.

Which son? For some folks, their children are too good to join the military, so that sticker won't bother them at all. Some of us might think our children serving in the military is something special, but many folks do not think like that. If that sticker is disturbing, why not my kid is whatever as if someone's kid is not whatever that should might offend that parent.
 
Which son? For some folks, their children are too good to join the military, so that sticker won't bother them at all. Some of us might think our children serving in the military is something special, but many folks do not think like that. If that sticker is disturbing, why not my kid is whatever as if someone's kid is not whatever that should might offend that parent.

Good point in the thought that some parents might look down in the military figure. But you kinda lost me on your last sentence.....I'm either really tired or it got lost in translation!
 
Imagine what the person who put that bumper sticker on his/her car's social media accounts look like. It's disrespectful to others who are not serving in the armed services. There are lots of honorable professions, other than the military. I agree with the other posters. I am just as proud of my sons who are pursuing Christian ministry and advertising sales as I am of my other son who wants to serve as a Naval officer. The military needs all the friends it can get, and this kind of thing offends people.
 
I personally am proud of all three of my girls, in whatever they do. Daughter 1 got a full ride plus stipend to study mechanical engineering and is in the engineering honor society. Daughter 2 is at USMMA. Daughter 3 still in high school. But to say one is better than another just because one is in the military is disgraceful. I hope we all can find things to be proud of our children for. And really, when it comes to the military, it is much more about the child than it is about the parent.
 
Back
Top