Explaining a suicide bomber to a 9 yr old?

[ladym123]

Ok so this is the actual conversation we had today over lunch with my daughter.

Q> “Mummy, why do suicide bombers blow themselves up?”
(hmmm…how do I explain this one?)

A>“Well because they’re terrorists and they terrorise people”
(ok…how else do you put it?)

Q>“Well why are they terrorists?”

A> “Erm…because they have a certain set of extreme beliefs and they feel they are doing it for the greater good?”
(I think? I’m not actually sure now you come to mention it lol)

Q> “Why do they become terrorists?”

A> “I think they just get in with the wrong crowd and then get brainwashed”
(My mum always warned me not to hang round with the ‘wrong’ crowd I guess that must be why?)

Q> “But why do terrorists blow things up?”

A> “Well because they’re terrorists and that’s what they do! If you were a librarian you would look after books and work in the library. Terrorists blow stuff up…it’s what they do…it’s in the job spec!”

Q> “Why don’t they tell their boss (manager she means) they don’t want to blow things up?”
(ok I’m getting a headache now)

A> “I don’t know…ask your dad!”

Dad> “I think you’re doing ok…although I’m not sure you should have said it was ‘in the job spec’ ?”

Lol! Kids!

[Crusty]

At least you don't have to explain what the difference is between a terrorist and a freedom fighter. Lol.

Tell her that terrorists believe they are fighting a war to force some sort of change (usually political in nature), and believe that violence is the only way to achieve their goal. They use explosives because it is the most available and effective resource for them. They can't win a war against an army so they attack civilians instead. They blow themselves up because it is the best way to ensure that the bomb will do the most damage.

Probably also good to explain that terrorism actually has a 0% success rate in actually effecting any sort of change.

It is completely irrational and a foolish course of action.

[ladym123]

At least you don't have to explain what the difference is between a terrorist and a freedom fighter. Lol.

Tell her that terrorists believe they are fighting a war to force some sort of change (usually political in nature), and believe that violence is the only way to achieve their goal. They use explosives because it is the most available and effective resource for them. They can't win a war against an army so they attack civilians instead. They blow themselves up because it is the best way to ensure that the bomb will do the most damage.

Probably also good to explain that terrorism actually has a 0% success rate in actually effecting any sort of change.

It is completely irrational and a foolish course of action.

Oh great explanation! I wish you'd come to lunch lol.

Now do you have one for the birds and the bees?

[Crusty]

Lol. Keeping that little acorn of wisdom to myself.

[jxspyder]

At least you don't have to explain what the difference is between a terrorist and a freedom fighter. Lol.

Tell her that terrorists believe they are fighting a war to force some sort of change (usually political in nature), and believe that violence is the only way to achieve their goal. They use explosives because it is the most available and effective resource for them. They can't win a war against an army so they attack civilians instead. They blow themselves up because it is the best way to ensure that the bomb will do the most damage.

Probably also good to explain that terrorism actually has a 0% success rate in actually effecting any sort of change.

It is completely irrational and a foolish course of action.

She said 9 year old. I kind of doubt they understand what "political in nature" even means.

Go with "They're bad people who didn't eat their vegetables or go to bed when they're told to."

[Crusty]

She said 9 year old. I kind of doubt they understand what "political in nature" even means.

Go with "They're bad people who didn't eat their vegetables or go to bed when they're told to."

Hey, don't underestimate kiddos. Even when you think they aren't, they're dialed in.

[ladym123]

Yeah she's pretty smart actually...politics means government and Prime Minister stuff...she knows that much.

In fact she tells me stuff I never knew all the time lol!

[Timmy_2_Tones]

All you had to tell her, is that suicide bombers are idiots that lick windows and wear safety helmets.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 4G

[Amiable Horde]

F*ck where are my 72 virgins?

[David_3033]

All you had to tell her, is that suicide bombers are idiots that lick windows and wear safety helmets.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S 4G

LMAO!!! Good one Timmy!

[jack]

Lol!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Metalhead Brett]

F*ck where are my 72 virgins?

They couldn't make it... There was a Star Trek convention... What, were they were expecting females? Surprise!