Understanding the Weight of Willful Ignorance in Parenting
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In recent times, I've found myself increasingly exasperated by the prevalence of willful ignorance and the lack of critical thinking skills in our society.
My daughter approached me at the last minute, asking if she could join her father and his family for dinner. I readily agreed, relieved that I wouldn’t have to prepare the salmon I had just taken out for dinner. Cooking ranks as my least favorite parental duty.
The dinner was to celebrate one of her step-siblings' birthdays, and my quick affirmation made my daughter happy, as she knows I generally dislike abrupt changes in plans. Her joy is something I cherish.
However, her excitement was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, her mood shifted dramatically.
"We aren't going." "Why not?" "Now we’re going on Saturday."
She retreated to her room, clearly upset. I didn’t push her to explain; the door slam indicated she wasn’t in the mood to talk.
Later that evening, I returned to preparing dinner, salmon once more.
The next day, while driving her to school, she finally explained the previous night’s abrupt change. Her stepmother preferred to delay seeing my daughter after she had received the COVID-19 vaccine. My daughter, who had been vaccinated the day after it was approved for her age group, was seen as a potential risk by her stepmother, who mistakenly believed that the vaccine could be transmitted.
Yes, I understand how absurd this sounds.
Science indicates that COVID-19 is one of the most contagious airborne viruses, even more so than SARS-CoV or the pandemics of 1918 and 2009. Just being near someone infected can put you at risk.
However, one must first accept scientific facts for this to resonate.
As my daughter shared her concerns, I was stuck in heavy LA traffic, fighting the urge to scream or veer off the road in frustration.
I’m utterly exhausted by the prevalence of willful ignorance, especially when it affects children. This applies to any vulnerable group—children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems. I have been taught to advocate for those who are more vulnerable, and I want my daughter to do the same.
The dinner plans were altered because my daughter made the responsible choice to get vaccinated. To make matters worse, she was blamed for the change, labeled as the "problem child" who disrupted her step-sibling's celebration.
The real issue lies with her stepmother, who holds unfounded beliefs about the vaccine. My daughter was made to feel like an outcast by an adult—her father’s wife—due to the misconception that vaccines are somehow contagious.
Her stepmother's belief that my daughter needed to wait longer before being around her stems from a fantasy that vaccines can infect others. This is the same individual who refuses to wear a mask and attended the Capitol riots, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the truth.
The blame for the dinner cancellation fell unjustly on a child who chose to safeguard herself with a vaccine, which also protects everyone she interacts with—teachers, friends, grandparents. Getting vaccinated is an act of kindness, aimed at eradicating COVID-19 from our communities.
But that only holds true if a significant portion of the population chooses to get vaccinated.
According to The Mayo Clinic:
> Herd immunity can also be achieved when enough individuals are vaccinated against a disease, developing protective antibodies without causing illness or complications.
We reside in Los Angeles, one of the most progressive cities in the U.S., yet my ex-husband has veered into extreme political beliefs due to his partner—a staunch Trump supporter with questionable reasoning skills. This shift has profoundly impacted my daughter.
Before her vaccination, every visit to their house involved them questioning her about the vaccine's safety. They propagated conspiracy theories about the government wanting to inject toxins, claimed the vaccine is unsafe, and insisted that COVID-19 was fabricated, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
They have no credible evidence to support their claims, instead relying on their circle of QAnon acquaintances to spread misinformation.
My daughter noted how her stepmother lights up when discussing "saving the children," a phrase tied to the QAnon conspiracy narrative, which absurdly implicates various public figures in a fictitious cabal.
She observed, “It feels like she cares more about the attention she gets rather than the actual cause.”
This insight reflects my daughter's keen understanding of her stepmother's need for validation, a person who thrives on chaos and drama.
The HBO docuseries “Q: Into the Storm” highlighted how disillusioned individuals have turned to QAnon for notoriety and financial gain, pushing dangerous falsehoods about vaccinations that can lead to real-world consequences.
A friend has been forwarding me the QAnon posts shared by my ex-husband’s wife, who has faced bans from social media for violating community guidelines. She continues to espouse her belief in Trump’s imminent return to power, reveling in the engagement her posts receive.
Unfortunately, my ex-husband seems to buy into this nonsense as well.
The Growing Influence of QAnon in Society
QAnon conspiracies have insidiously permeated mainstream culture, yet many remain oblivious to their impact.
- 15% of Americans believe that a secret group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles controls the government, a fundamental QAnon belief.
- 15 to 20% of the populace subscribes to core QAnon ideologies.
- One in five Republicans outright dismiss QAnon, while 58% of Democrats reject it entirely.
Key Facts to Consider
- Masks act as a barrier, reducing the likelihood of inhaling respiratory droplets.
- Joe Biden is the legitimate President of the United States.
- Hillary Clinton was recently spotted enjoying a meal with friends, contrary to baseless claims of her imprisonment.
- Hillary Clinton has faced relentless investigations without any legal charges being brought against her, highlighting her respectability as a politician.
- Trump has a documented history of dishonesty; numerous instances of his untruths are well-documented.
- COVID-19 ranks among history's deadliest pandemics, with misinformation about vaccines proliferating despite substantial evidence to the contrary.
As of May 4, over 105 million Americans had been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with less than 0.01% experiencing breakthrough infections—cases that affirm the vaccine's overall efficacy.
- The notion that voter fraud is widespread is unfounded; studies indicate it is exceedingly rare.
- The false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen is being used by Republicans to undermine electoral integrity in future elections.
- Voter suppression tactics are being deployed to restrict access for marginalized groups, demonstrating a disregard for fair democratic practices.
The Path Forward
We face a significant challenge in America—a crisis of comprehension and critical thinking. Over half of Americans obtain their news from social media. Unless we prioritize teaching critical thinking in schools and emphasize the importance of reliable news sources, our democracy is at risk.
The recent dismissal of a bipartisan investigation into the Capitol attack represents a grave blow to accountability and transparency in our political system.
Democracy itself came under siege on January 6, 2021, by a mob that failed to understand basic political principles or the significance of their actions.
The ongoing investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails contrasts starkly with the lack of accountability for those involved in the Capitol riot, underscoring a troubling double standard.
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Jessica is a writer, entrepreneur, and a recovering perfectionist. She resides in Los Angeles with her spirited daughter, two dogs, and two cats.