Should Innocence be Admirable

Recently, a strict new gun law has been passed in Connecticut, in the wake of the Newtown Massacre. This law seems to please those who have been personally affected by it, and have been very frightened. Although I am not opposing the law, I can’t help but question a few of the arguments that were posed in favor of its passing, which will likely be used to create new laws in other states. I remember seeing one in a political cartoon, which showed a group of frightened children inside a house, watching armed adults traipsing around in the streets. The argument, of course, is “think of the children!”

It can be difficult to think objectively in this situation, since the Newtown Massacre’s victims were mostly children. But as I was thinking about states and countries with gun laws that allow civilians to be armed more easily, such as Texas and Switzerland, I realized that these places have children too. And most of them probably turn out just fine. So if people are worried about children losing their innocence, why aren’t we questioning why exactly this is considered a bad thing?

Now let me say first of all, that I believe no children should be subjected to events like the Newtown Massacre, or abuse, or otherwise. However, I do have issue when a child goes up to their parents asking, “What happened in Newtown?” and they change the subject.  What is supposed to be accomplished by leaving him or her in ignorance?

But wouldn’t it be beautiful if everyone was innocent and nothing bad happened in the world? Well no, because that is exactly what happened in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were so innocent, and therefore clueless, that a few words from a talking snake was all that was needed to turn them away from God.

This may seem random, but think about the movie Slumdog Millionaire, the winner of eight Academy Awards. Why was this a good movie? The main character’s innocence was lost early when his mother died, leaving him to survive on the streets. He had to resort to begging and crime, enduring great hardships, and yet used all of his experiences to win a game show. This character is admirable, and his prize deserved because of his ability to persevere through his poverty.

Many of the people whom society admires are people who have overcome great adversity, such as those who have come from poverty or abusive homes. And while it is tragic that these things happen, we don’t live in a world where they won’t happen. Part of human existence is to learn from the experiences of life, and to grow as people. Innocence will be of no help when bills need to be paid and a family needs to be fed.

And no matter what laws are written, children will always have the ability to pretend their fingers are guns. Desperately grasping at lost innocence won’t help them learn what’s appropriate and what’s not. If you teach them, they will turn out all right.

Written by Renata Krach