I know quite a few of us have children on this forum. My question is: Is it morally right to force your team (i.e. Arsenal) on your children? I have 3 boys between the ages of 13 and 6, who have expressed an interest (well a strong one) in supporting Chelsea (I know it could be worse!), but I have bullied, cajoled, blackmailed them into sticking with the gunners...... I always make them wear their replica top with pride, after a bad defeat (e.g. the old trafford mauling). I am just wondering it it is a lesson in futility!
Keep them at it but perhaps forcing them to watch our shambolic defence could cause trauma later in life? when it comes good though it's worth it -eg Mickey Thomas. I have have no kids but one on way shortly but have been thinking lately would I really want to put my son or daughter through the torture of being a football fan and the hair tearing out experience that is following Arsenal? I will get him/her intersted in it but I guess they make their own path on most decisions or who they want to follow but hopefully another gooner to accompany me.
Very interesting that you should ask that my friend. I have no kids but four Godchildren and ONE FABULOUS & PRECIOUS GODSON. As you would expect we all love him with all the usual great expectations. Then three years ago when he was barely seven, during the season-concluding months following Birmingham 2008, he turned round to his proud granddad saying ' Grandad, Arsenal are rubbish '. We all laughed but it seems he still supports the men in red from Merseyside. I'd have been fine if toffees were his preference but no....... His loving Godfather lives in hope and in the meantime still dotes on his precious and best little big boy in the whole wide world. It's like taking him to a bar when he's 18. You gotta let him choose his drink. It is though good to share your enjoyment with your children and hope they may share your love of the team too but should your son end up as a centre forward with Chelsea, would you still not be a proud and happy father? It's only a game I say and yes there may be a slight niggle but it's only a small one and it's still only a game.
To the OP... I think you have every right to encourage your kids to support Arsenal - your team. This is especially so, given that they are displaying classic "glory-hunting plastic" tendencies. Unless, of course, they have another relative close to them who is a long-time supporter of Chelsea. Sure, your team is in disarray at the moment, but that is no reason to desert them, if you call yourself a fan. I have two boys, aged 9 and 2. My oldest has been supporting Spurs since he first became aware that football was a game. The two-year old doesn't quite understand what all the fuss is, at the moment, but that doesn't stop me from dressing him up in his replica Spurs kit, or from cuddling him on my knee when Spurs are playing and telling him "that's Spurs, son! OUR team!" So you carry on, OP
It's like taking him to a bar when he's 18. You gotta let him choose his drink. Now if your son ended up as a centre forward with Chelsea, would you still not be a proud and happy father? It's only a game I say and yes there may be a slight niggle but it's only a small one and it's still only a game. Very well put Robin, good way to think about it. I guess even if they do choose a different club its all a bit of fun in the household and could be a nice little source of banter/fun for a father and child...
I must apologise Gunner as I did edit my post a little but not to the extent of altering the original message I was hoping to convey. My Godson being an Arsenal supporter would have pleased us all more but it's not a big deal that he isn't. I actually would have probably been happier if he came home saying he preferred Spurs to LFC but you can't always plan for how a cookie crumbles. Love your kids and share your love of the game with them. Then families can go to games and enjoy themselves without having to endure some of the lesser moments in the stands. That's the way to go
Just a shame they are too young to remember our glory years! Like Hoddle said you can't just change teams because your team is not doing well.... It would be painful, using my hard earned cash to buy a Chelsea replica shirt! If they played for Chelsea, that would be different as that is just job...... I think, but I would prefer they do not!
My son moved overseas when he was 3 (not on his own obviously), every birthday I would buy him a replica shirt with his name and age on the back and send it to him. Some years later (2007 ?) he finally came to England so I managed to get a couple of seats for the West Ham game around Christmas that year - we met up with some mates in the White Swan (Highbury & Islington), left late, missed kick off, got in after 10 mins with Arsenal already 2-0 up and never saw a shot on goal for the rest of the game. He wasn't impressed and I now have more conversations with him on NFL than Arsenal...
No need to apologise mate, your spot on, very sound advice. I am sure after seeing his/her old man (me) watching an Arsenal game and crying a stomping around the house for hours after the game, they might decide to give the whole supporting thing a miss and follow golf or something!
I took my daughter to her first game when she was 6 against Wrexham in 1992.I now have two grandchildren one who's nearly 3 and the youngest is 1.They are both Junior Gunners.My son in law was a Liverpool fan but i took him to a home game last season as he'd never seen a live game.He's now been converted to being a Gooner.
I was forced to support Liverpool (Born with a kit already bought) but by the time I was old enough to decide for myself, I stuck with them. It happens!
A son should always follow his father's team imo and failing that the local team (assuming that's a different team). I definitely wouldn't be as close to my dad if I'd supported another team and you'll regret not forcing it upon them some day if they grow up as Chelsea fans. Forcing them to support a club like Arsenal shouldn't be that difficult anyway and I'm sure all kids would understand that the chance to see live football with your dad is better than never going to games.
