Minor students

[tanwyn_llewellyn]

What boundaries do you normally set with minors? Do you accept minor students?  

[TeaDidikai]

tanwyn_llewellyn

What boundaries do you normally set with minors? Do you accept minor students?

For me it is a moot point. My spiritual tradition is a closed one linked directly to an ethnicity.

For others, it depends on the tradition. Wicca is not open to minors because of the legal contracts that need to be signed at the time of initiation.

The Asatru kindren I know does a lot of fostering- with three of my favorite little Asatru being minors.  

[Jaded Cat of the World]

I would never train a minor. I might give them advice, but never train. There are too many legal matters. In this day and age, Parents divorced and all, one parent may agree, while the other does not. The you find yourself in the middle of a fight. At age 18, most are old enough to go out in the world and live their own life. They can make their own life for themselves.  

[Starlock]

For me it is dependent on what the training entails and the individual to be trained. I'd take it on a case by case basis. Perhaps that's because I'm of the mind that we're all teachers and all students? Besides, if they're really interested they'll seek information on their own anyway; why not give them some guidance if they ask?  

[Andrew boy]

If I ever became a teacher (which I probally won't) I would only teach my believes to those of Celtic or Nordic background.  

[A_Flames_Desire]

I myself, being 17 (soon be 18, woot!) need guidenece and advice when studying Paganism, espeically in the witchcraft department. Anyways, giving guidence is sometimes all a minor seeker needs, training can come when they are old enough. It gives us something to look forward to, I myself am way excited!  

[LadyEladrin]

I'd agree with that; I'd give guidance but I wouldnt' teach. I'd point out good books to read and things to study, but I'd let them do their own works and practises until they were old enough to be of age. Teaching to me means a commitment, offering up a lesson plan, things like that. The occasional question answered or opinion expressed wouldn't be the same.  

[CuAnnan]

Five year gap. If someone is five years older or younger than me then I contain the neccessary lexicon to communicate with them. As I get older, that gap will widen because I learn new skills and gain practice and experience.  

[StrawberryGumiho]

I like the five year gap rule...

I was fourteen when I started my apprenticeship.

I would say that taking on a minor to apprentice/train is a good idea depending of course on the practice, religion or intent and the maturity level and frame of mind of the minor.

In retrospect though, I think I was a TERRIBLE choice for a student. But in retrospect my Bestemor was also psychotic. stare xd
(I still flinch when someone waves a broom or umbrella around. whee )

Match made in heaven I swear.
Snotty, cocky, violent and aggressive juvenile, armchair scholar.
Snappy, cocky, proud, (somewhat senile) yappy, "disciplinary enforcer", grandmotherly nutcase.

I myself would never think of taking a student until well... I guess I feel I've gained a substantial grounded foundation from which I'd feel I could actually... I dont know... Be worthy and... sturdy?... enough (both in my practice, physically, emotionally and spiritually) to actually take on a student and give them the training and guidance they deserve...  

[ToshiYoko]

I believe that the time to explore religion is in adolesence. So, I would introduce the moral matters of Paganism/Wicca to a minor if they were to ask, however, I'm not qualified to teach anything, so yes I would teach a minor what I know... (the basics) but I wouldn't train them in spiritual rituals. That is for them to explore on there own.  

[saint dreya]

i refuse to teach minors. for one, i'd rather not interfere with their parent's method of raising them. for another, i'm rather liberal apparently and can consider something without fully accepting it. i'm too literal for another, as well as rigid when it comes to laying something out for another to understand.

i might point out an occasional book, or mention a good website, etc, but i cannot teach. i lack the discipline and patience for me to mentor even.  

[psycmoe]

I'd rather not teach, but I guide when it seems necessary. Often though, I'll just keep my mouth shut... one must learn through experience, after all. Greatest teacher.

I end up being a counseler more often than not.  

[xxantuxx]

I've only been learning for about a year and a half now... I know a lot but most of it is incomplete and from the internet where not everything is trust worthy... I wish I had someone to train me but I've done the best I can, I'm 14 and I have helped my friends to learn, giving advice, sharing what I have learned... So I suppose I might say I've sort of trained them... Not quite sure... But I feel good, the people really like what they learn and they feel at home in the religion.

But even when I have my children... I guess I won't raise them wiccan, they will be raised with the goddess in their heart and a understanding and love for the world and nature, but they will make their own choices for religious paths wether it be Xianity or Paganism or some other sort of religion, as long as they feel whole.  

[Triste-chan]

We atheists love taking on minor students.

Especially attractive females. So pics plz, kthx. heart  

[Kal Eldritch]

When/if I ever become a teacher, I'd only teach minors if their parents/gaurdians were in total control of the situation and allowed me to.

Really, the only time I'd break this rule is if the teen was obviously misinformed and defiant of their parents judgement on the situation. Although it is their right to chose their religion, they are obviously many horrible sources of information. I'd just set the record straight and that's about it, and maybe contact their parents.