MYTH OF EASTER BUNNY UNITES PARENTS AND CHILDREN

MANHATTAN -- The story of the Velveteen Rabbit focuses on a bunny whose only desire in the world is to become real. Through the love of a child, the rabbit finally gets his wish. So it is with the Easter Bunny, who is kept alive in the hearts of many through the belief of children and the stories of adults.

Some naysayers caution that telling children about the Easter Bunny is akin to lying to them. Tony Jurich, a Kansas State University professor of family studies and human services, disagrees.

"All of these myths are part of the legacy that we had as children, that we pass on to our children," Jurich said. "I don't think it's tremendously detrimental. It's very much a connection to the things we believed. Talking to your child about the Easter Bunny lets you bring a little bit of your childhood into focus, let's you bring a little bit of who you are into play."

Children, however, do not stay young forever and when they finally begin to question the reality of the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy, Jurich warns parents to handle the situation with caution. Children may question parents in different ways. Some may beat around the bush asking logical questions about different facets of the myth, while others may come straight to the point.

"Someone once said that the best kept secret in the world is Santa Claus, and I think that's probably true. But there are a lot of people out there who are willing to very viciously debunk Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny to a small child and take pleasure watching that child squirm. There is also the greater danger that someone will slip. If the child says, 'is the Easter Bunny real?' then I think you owe that child an explanation.

"When they talk about the Easter Bunny always end the conversation by saying, 'If you have any questions make sure you talk to me. Lots of people will give you confusing answers so I'm the best person to talk to.' If you don't give them that invitation, it can get real confusing later as to why you didn't tell them the truth.

Explanations should involve explaining to children the difference between a lie and a myth.

"Never lie to the child. Explain that the Easter Bunny is a myth that gets passed down, and a myth is a story about the way we see and feel about the world. It says more about the way we interpret and feel about the world than it ever says about the reality of the world," Jurich said. "It's a lot different than telling your child if they're quiet you'll take them to the zoo, when you have no intention of taking them to the zoo."

Children may have a hard time understanding the concept of a myth, especially if they are very young. Jurich recommends renting videos that contain mythical creatures to help them grasp the concept.

"I recommend that when parents finally unveil that this is a myth, go rent 'Fantasia.' Walt Disney's 'Fantasia' has a lot of different things, like centaurs and Pegasus. You have all these things that aren't true, but people believed them to be true for a while. Those are very good lessons to learn. It's one of those teachable moments."

Finally, there is a risk that the child will try to ruin the myth for other children, especially younger siblings. To keep that from happening Jurich advocates making the child feel like a part of the tradition.

"If the child has younger siblings or plays with younger kids in the neighborhood tell them, 'you've become part adult now and with us, you're asked to keep the myth.' It's important to involve that child in being an adult, to hold that myth as sort of a sacred trust and not unveil it to another child. If you can do that, then I think myths like Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny will be the best kept secrets in our society."

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For more information, contact Tony Jurich at 785-532-1488.

April 1998