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Why are so many Mumsnetters like this and how representative are they of parents in general?

102 replies

Ilvergate · 21/10/2025 14:17

Why are many of the posters on here so well -informed and pushy about the educational system for the benefit of their kids? (Not necessarily a bad thing).

Ie they seem to know so much about Oxbridge from admissions details like what to prioritise and how to perform at interview; private vs grammar schools etc details; knowing about the best tutors for their kids; being well-informed about A-level choice and GCSE choice etc.

It’s almost like they went to Oxbridge themselves or work there!

I must admit I have grown to resent my parents because of this. Neither of them went to university; neither knew anything about A-levels/GCSEs in terms of being able to give me advice about which to choose or which university to apply for; neither could give any Oxbridgey advice to me; I went to a state school even though there was a local grammar school that was well-performing that I perhaps could have gained a place at but my parents were clueless about the 11+ etc.

Obviously they want/wanted the best for me but it has been more a case of me having to specifically ask them to get a private tutor if I needed one rather than them actively seeking one; or, if at the time of the 11+ I had been aware of it, it would have been a case of me telling them about it and asking them to help me acquire the tools to prepare for it rather than them guiding me.

I’m just wondering are the posters on here representative of the majority of parents in the country or are they just special? Were their parents the same for them or are they being different for the sake of their children?

OP posts:
MaturingCheeseball · 21/10/2025 14:35

One thing I always have to remind myself about There was no internet back then !!

So when I think, why did my parents not do this, or even why did I not do that - there was just so little information available if you didn’t know someone who knew.

I am not that clued up but did read a lot of MN threads about education. We have no background of privilege and certainly not much money but by reading up on things I was able to help steer the dcs. Whereas I - to my detriment - was on my own back in the day.

Alwayslurkingsometimesposting · 21/10/2025 14:21

The MNers you see posting about this stuff are an elite minority and are NOT representative of the average parent in the UK. Your parents would be much more the 'norm'. Your feelings are valid though, if you were bright and missed out because your parents didn't have the educational/financial/social capital to help you make the most of it. The class system here can be unfair.

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