The other day I was charged with the task of keeping an eye on my little cousins while they played outside. I was sitting there, wondering how much longer I'd have to watch them, when one of them says this,"Let's imagine the cars are tanks and that the cannons are protecting the city, ok?"
No big deal right? Then I heard this, "the tanks are the Red team and the cannons are the Blue team" Still not a big deal, just two kids playing. But then I hear this, "The good guys are the Americans against the Red! The Americans will save the city."
That's when something occured to me. How is it that a 6 year old who is forbiddnen from being exposed to anything that would give them the idea that "the Americans are the good guys"?
Is it some coincidence that "America" is fighting "The Reds" in this case?
Is it somehow inherited knowledge? If not, how do children aquire that kind of info?
Discuss.