Things I don't understand - Valentiner's Day

[ghoti_mhic_uait]

Someone on a food community I read posted a link to these anatomical heart cupcakes asking whether we thought they'd be suitable for her four year old son to take to school for Valentine's day.

Now, they are utterly awesome, and a quick glance at the ingredients reveals no nuts or peanuts, so I'd think they'd be OK for school, which is how I answered, but...

why would a four year old be taking cakes to school *for Valentine's day*? Why would anyone? We used to (at secondary school) have a board for posting anonymous comments. Apparently I even got one, one year, but I didn'#t have time to go and look until they were all taken down. That is, you post a comment for *one* person, or a small number of people you're interested in romantically or sexually.

The whole class? That would be weird. Four year olds? Also kind of icky.

Any explanations, gratefully received.

Comments

[alison-lees.livejournal.com]

No, they aren't suitable for a four year old to take into school for Valentine's day.
1) Most schools, or LEAs, probably have a policy about 'no sweets'. The icing is likely to have lots of ENumbers, and the parents should be going along with the 'no sweets or excess sugar' rule.
2) Valentines day, as you point out, is aimed at people old enough to be thinking about dating, and about single people. It's not what people insist on making it, for everybody. I have had lots of 'valentine's' artwork, and I have some up on the wall that Hannah did at playschool and in the library, but I don't hold with it myself, I just admire the art work.
3) Most 4 year olds probably haven't encountered an anatomically correct heart picture, and these cakes might confuse them.
4) It's just too icky.

[ironlord.livejournal.com]

On the other hand, the only objection I'd have is promoting a Hallmark holiday to kids too young to understand the scale of what utter bilge it is. Not that I gave a toss when I was a five-year-old (amongst a class that would all turn six before me) and returned home one day with a tray of biscuits with hearts crudely painted on them with all the skill expected of a five-year-old.

Health and safety? E-numbers? Piles of sugar? A day aimed squarely at singles? And all this at an independent school, in 1985? Such rules and regulations never existed. Life was much simpler then.

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I was a bit disturbed to see a young children's comic with a free gift for making Valentine things on it.
I'm afraid it's the commercialism taking over again. They need profits in the gap between Christmas and Easter,so whether it's a heart shaped sandwich or a pinl variation of just about anything they'll try it.
I remember Jade being a bit upset,last year,as some of her friends parents had given their children cards
Weirder and weirder

[albanach.livejournal.com]

A UK school, or a US one?

Valentine's day in the US seems to be a whole different ball game. Kids apparently have to give something to everyone else in their class to show how much they love them.

Stores here sell bulk packs of valentine's cards which amused me greatly when I first saw them.

I'm pretty sure they start their valentine's parties at a very early age - perhaps even kindergarten.

[hatter.livejournal.com]

I fear a blend of crass overcommercialisation and the assumed need to protect the kids who may not get a card/as many cards, gifts and adulation as the popular kids from the realities of life. Both following the lead from the USA (whether intentionally or not).


the hatter

[jaq.livejournal.com]

I saw an ad on TV last week for 'Get this cute toy for $X when you buy 3 Valentine's cards'. Valentine's day tradition is a bit different in the USA.

[ruhe.livejournal.com]

What junni and albanach said. It's as much about friendship and all of that here as romantic/sexual. That said, by the time you're an adult there's a big huge monster focus on the romantic. I send V-day cards to some of my friends...

[marnanel.livejournal.com]

Taking cakes to school seems like a bad move anyway, what with allergies and all.

[pyc.livejournal.com]

The reason isn't really because it's Valentine's Day. The reason is really because most schools will try to think of activities that they think that all the children will enjoy (at the same time satisfying the parents) doing together (teaching stuff like team work, sharing, etc.)

Cakes just happen to be something that are popular with children, as well as adults. The day/event is kind of used to help children think on a theme. It's also a more 'responsible' excuse/reason to satisfy parents, rather than just say, 'Let's have cake because we just feel like having some every month.' Some teachers will use the day/event as some theme reason, but others may choose to do something like a 'baking day' every month, where the children will take turns adding ingredients or stirring, etc.

From what I recall, in North American schools, Valentine's Day isn't just about lovers; it's about caring and loving. This would involve activities for the child to show that they cared/loved their family/friends/classmates.

[sphyg.livejournal.com]

Cool cakes! We had a Valentine's post box and secondary school. Yay, for turning it into a popularity contest :(