La Vie Childfree

Talk Childfree & Beyond with Laura Carroll

What do Thanksgiving and Being Childfree Have in Common?

Filed under Lifestyles, Sociological Issues

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Odd question I know, but the answer to this question is: Myths.  Like the myths out there about the childfree, there sure are some myths about Thanksgiving . Check it out:

Indyposted.com gets right to the main ones:

“Thanksgiving Myth: The first Thanksgiving was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621, and was celebrated every year thereafter.

Thanksgiving Fact: The pilgrims did not hold the first Thanksgiving. The first Thanksgiving was actually held in Texas by Spaniard Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his troops. Thanksgiving was celebrated by American Indians, Europeans, and other cultures around the world before the pilgrims held their famous 1621 fall feast.

To the pilgrims, Thanksgiving was a religious holiday where they would go to church and give thanks. The fall feast in 1621 that involved singing and dancing wasn’t even considered a Thanksgiving by the pilgrims. The holiday didn’t become an official National Holiday until 1863. President Lincoln is responsible for making Thanksgiving a National Holiday.

spacer Thanksgiving Myth: The first Thanksgiving was celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Fact: According to History.com, the first Thanksgiving actually took place sometime between September 21st and November 11th. It was also a three day fest, and was not just a one night dinner the way it is celebrated today. In 1941, President Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would officially be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Myth: Thanksgiving has always been a feast.

Thanksgiving Fact: The word “thanksgiving” has not always been associated with a massive feast. According to National Geographic, thanksgiving was actually a time to fast and give thanks in the 17th century.

Thanksgiving Myth: The pilgrims ate turkey at the first Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Fact: According to the CS Monitor, the pilgrims were more likely to eat duck and geese on Thanksgiving. The reason people eat Turkey today, is likely due to its cheap price.

Thanksgiving Myth: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, have always been a part of Thanksgiving. spacer

Thanksgiving Fact: The pilgrims had to eat what was in season. National Geographic reports that the pilgrims likely had a spread of lobster, clams, nuts, and wheat flour, as well as vegetables such as pumpkin, squash, carrots, and peas.”

Something else that can be considered a myth is that Thanksgiving is about family.  If it were about family, the Indians would not have been invited….I  like to think that the pilgrims invited the Indians as a way to say thanks for helping them figure out how to grow crops in abundance in their new homeland–to appreciate their new generous  neighbors-until we started taking over their land and killing them, that is…

In any case, somehow over time our country and its leaders have created a certain tradition that is not based on what really happened. To that I say, celebrate Thanksgiving any way you like.  Like your life, no need to follow the “prescribed” rules or what you are supposed to do…As childfree we know about this when it comes to saying no to the “supposed to” thing to do called kids.

Celebrate it or not.  Feast on food or not. See friends or family…or not. Me–most often I like the 17th century model without the fast.  Tell my loved ones how much they mean to me.  Take an extra moment to give thanks to all the good in my life.  But turkey? Nope. Most years, I go to a good movie while everyone else is eating too much-this year-lucky to be fine dining with dear friends!

You?

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Tags: cultural issues, religion
Comments (2)Posted by Laura on Wednesday, November 21st, 2012

2 Responses to “What do Thanksgiving and Being Childfree Have in Common?” Add your own

  • I.Am.Free said:
    November 21st, 2012 at 8:39 am

    The fact that we are transplants to our area — and that unpredictable weather at this time of year leaves everyone hesitant to make travel plans — usually means that we have Thanksgiving-for-two. On one hand, I would really enjoy having friends and family visit… but on the other hand, I take immense pleasure in cooking with my husband and having a quiet, stress-free day. Besides, we shock and horrify everyone by having a meat-free Thanksgiving dinner anyway. spacer

  • Laura said:
    November 21st, 2012 at 11:29 am

    Hi I.Am.Free-nice to hear from you! I actually wrote you recently and wondered if you would be willing to give your perspective on a post I put up on my Childfree & Beyond Facebook page on Nov 15th. Topic: Being childfree and pro-life – no pressure but just thought you could add to the discussion string!

    www.facebook.com/pages/Families-of-Two-Childfree-and-Beyond/139821682696375

    Happy T-day for 2 ; )!

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