Hi.

So this is a nuanced situation obviously rather than a “just go” or “don’t go” so would you just do your research and find nearby/reasonably nearby zoos which actually do legitimate conservation work or pay extra for an educational tour, or would you just try to convince your kids to do something else?

There are a lot of things in the world that I think shouldn’t exist, but I’m also not going to punish my kids for the world being flawed.

You would take your kid because you are responsible for their education

Find legitimate good zoos that are doing good work and feel good about supporting them. that's my take at least.

I honestly think this is an upside/downside consideration.

The zoo is not going to close because you go there.

You can raise a conservation-minded child by exposing them to animals and teaching them to love and appreciate them — with visits to the zoo.

This is the way.

Take your kids to a respectable zoo and also talk to them about the ethical issues surrounding keeping animals in captivity.

I would let them go if it's as part of a school trip or organised by friends, otherwise I'd try to take them to one of those rescue parks where the animals have a lot of space to roam

I would go it's not going to have the slightest effect on the existence of Zoos or the animals freedom either way.

You go to the zoo and give your kids the opportunity to fall in love with wild animals and nature.

And you have age-appropriate discussions with them about why some people don't love zoos. Ask them what they think, and let them form imperfect little opinions.

If you’re that worried about it then find a zoo or farm with ethical values. They’re not all as bad as you might think

Ya this. Maybe take them to both! A good one and a bad one. The Winnipeg zoo is amazing. they have rescued so many Polar bears that would have been shot dead or died as orphans without the zoo to take them in. Winnipeg is in a special spot for Polar Bears because it is cold enough to support them

There are crappy zoos out there but in the hypothetical that I was opposed to them (which I'm not) I would consider this something that my kids should learn for themselves.

I would say the experience of children going to zoos and learning so much trumps a personal moral quandary in the moment. If they arrive at the same conclusion themselves, so be it.