Non US pupils pledging allegiance to US flag:would parents of US pupils living abroad be happy doing the same

Question

I found it strange that my British child had to pledge allegience to the USA daily at school We were living there on a working visa for 3 years. I was just wondering if American children were asked to do the same in say the UK or France would it be a cause of concern ( because they are very patriotic) or would they be happy to do so.

I repeat..I found it strange/unusual not offensive or a problem. If a country extends a welcomes you should follow ,within reason the ways and customs of that country

Answer 1

I would never pledge allegiance to any country but my own!

Answer 2

As long as you're in your host country, your child is basically saying that he/she and their family will protect American soil if under attack, rather than attacking Americans. They always want to know whose side foreigners are on, just in case. I see nothing wrong with that.

Answer 3

No child in Britain (or France for that matter), American or otherwise would be asked to pledge allegiance to any country.

IMHO and experience patriotism is nothing more than a blind belief that your country is beyond criticism which is a very dangerous mind set to be in.  It is one thing to be proud of your country but to force a person particularly mould-able a child with the concept of blind loyalty to a country and to God.

I would never swear allegiance to the Queen (and I live in Britain) and thankfully my rights are respected. Why should American Children be forced to pay homage to nondescript deity?

Answer 4

I don't think it's right. As you say, I can't imagine American families agreeing to do it when they live abroad.

It would however be bad if foreign kids were excused because they would be bullied and mobbed.

Difficult issue.

Answer 5

Allegiance to a flag is a very strange thing that we non-Americans don't understand. A flag? It's just a piece of material!

But Americans take their little ritual very seriously, so it's best to humour them. More important, if your child refused to swear allegiance, they could be picked on and bullied. Kids hate someone that's different from the rest.

Americans would of course refuse to swear allegiance to the Queen as a matter of principle. Mind you, there are plenty of Brits who would refuse to do that too, the traiterous swine.