How to use a ‘noble lie’ to convince elders to use child seat in car!

A recent post on Reddit detailed the frustrations of a parent whose in-laws refused to use a car seat for their newborn granddaughter. Despite numerous attempts to explain the importance of the safety measure, the elders persisted in taking the baby out of the seat when she cried and asking the parent to drive faster than they felt was safe.

how to talk to in laws about child safety in car
by u/kc_kamakazi in Kerala

In response to the post, many users suggested logical reasoning and mature debate as ways to convince the elders to change their behavior. However, one user suggested an alternative approach!

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The solution suggested was this: Create a fake but relatable story that is emotional enough to encourage people to change their behavior. The user recommended making up a story about a couple who lost their baby in a car accident due to improper use of a car seat. The story should be shared with the elders, emphasizing how it haunts the parent every time they think about it.

Comment
by u/Rockypatch from discussion how to talk to in laws about child safety in car
in Kerala

Another user  suggested an addition: To convert the story into a Whatsapp forward, and sending into to extended family groups. The user suggested Adding ” 🙏🙏 Maximum share!!🙏🙏 ” to the end of the message will achieve the desired effects quicker” as a pro tip!

We find both the responses hilarious, and highly likely to work. When logic and reason fails, one may need to resort to some white lies to get the right result. Elders are highly susceptible to fake news and phishing scams – so why not use a cooked up dramatic story to get the right results!

This is called a “noble lie” by the way

A “noble lie” involves faking something to get the right results. The intention is noble, the means perhaps not!

While the use of a “noble lie” may seem manipulative, in some cases, it can be an effective way to change people’s behavior when logical reasoning fails. This is particularly important when it comes to child safety, where the consequences of not using a car seat can be catastrophic. By using relatable stories that touch on people’s emotions, we can create positive change and protect the safety of our children.

The concept of the “noble lie” originated with Plato in his famous work “The Republic”. In the book, Plato argued that certain myths and falsehoods can be used for the greater good of society. According to Plato, a “noble lie” is a falsehood deliberately told to people in order to maintain social harmony or promote a virtuous society. The lie is considered “noble” because it serves a higher purpose, the greater good. The idea of the “noble lie” has been debated and discussed by philosophers and political theorists for centuries – and one argument against it has been that it reduces trust in the society.

We are definitely not philosophers – so we leave the choice of using a noble lie or not up to you!

How do child seats work?

Child seats are specialized car seats designed to protect children in the event of a collision. They are designed to fit in the back seat of a car and are secured using either the car’s seat belt or a special anchor system called ISOFIX. There are different types of child seats available depending on the child’s age, height, and weight.

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