Knowing that I’ve written about Elf on the Shelf a few times in the past, a friend recently sent me a link to another sociologist’s take on the elf, which is slightly more positive. Last year, responding to those who criticize Elf on the Shelf for preparing children to live in a police state, Todd Schoepflin at Creative Sociology wrote that Elf on the Shelf is fun and may even marginally improve the behavior of children for a few weeks a year. This year, he decided to reinforce this view in an ALL-CAPS POST stating that he is both still in favor of the Elf on the Shelf and “A SELF-PROCLAIMED EXPERT ON THE ELF ON THE SHELF.”
For the record, I don’t have anything seriously against the Elf on the Shelf. I doubt it affects children any more than telling them that Santa Claus can see them when they’re sleeping and knows when they’re awake and I’m sure that it can be fun. I do think, however, that moving it every night sounds like a pain in the ass! I asked my friend if Schoepflin’s post had convinced him to change his mind about getting an Elf (unlike me, he actually has a child). I hope that he won’t mind if I quote his response: “NO I WILL NOT BE GETTING AN ELF ON THE SHELF.”
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