Children and being a "snitch"
 

This weekend I encountered two different situations where parents were reprimanding children for being a "snitch".
These were both good church families and the information given was information that needed to be shared.
This had disturbed me.
Any thoughts on this?

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

In an era where "snitching" is touted as virtuous, maybe it's a good thing that children learn to have discretion.

No idea of the situations, but it would seem that tale-bearing ought not be the default response to everything? Only if truly warranted.

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

It reminds me of saints know serious sins that other saints in service in the church are doing, and they don't inform the pastor for fear of snitching. The pastor needs to know!

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

Any "saint" should be offended by sin: and if it offends us, we
should FIRST go to the one who is offending...and you know the rest
of the story.
(And please don't just take your best friends as witnesses)

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

The areas I have lived in and live in now do not regard snitching as virtuous.
"Snitches get stiches".
In general I thought it was a a "worldly" attitude that encouraged children to keep their mouths shut.
That is why I was somewhat amazed to find it in the church.

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

Well, a lot of older folks grew up with "loose lips sink ships". The Bible teaches two things: discretion and a negative attitude towards tale bearing on the one hand, and confronting and exposing sin on the other hand... with discretion.

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

Good point.

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

First hand knowledge of a sin is different than gossip.

Re: Children and being a "snitch"
 

I'm not sure what would be the best approach with children in that area. It's a very complicated area. No simple piece of advise fits every situation.

So if the general approach of the parents is to say snitching is always wrong then there is a problem. If it was just snitching in this issue then maybe okay. It's hard to say with just a snapshot the parent/children interactions.

That's a given.