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Original poster

If your 17 year old wanted to take a day off school to attend the student funding march on Wed would you condone it

242 replies

mrswoodentop · 08/11/2010 21:49

What it says really,ds1 ,17 ,very politically aware wants to attend.Its a school day,independent school so I need to write to say we are authorising him to have a day off.

Dh violently against ,very angry with me for even thinking about it ,treats ds like a naughty little boy.I am more ambivelent,I am proud of him for feeling strongly (dh thinks that because he wouldn't go on his own that he just wants a day off school with his friends),I think that this issue is going to have a profound effect on his life and in a way I am quite proud of him for wanting to have a voice, also proud because he has thought carefully about the issues and wants to hear both sides and yes he wants to experience something big ,something new,to be there if you like.But and and its a big but he has to have day off school,he's not a definate oxbridge candidate ,his grades aren't perfect he can ill afford to miss a lot of school,but one day? I don't know,dh has said no and he's agreed so I suppose its over but perhaps we are doing him a diservice (sorry not sure of spelling)

OP posts:
gorionine · 10/11/2010 10:29

Do you mind if I ask why? Is is just so we get rid of the country's debt quicker? Because it would mean that only a few selected people would be privileged enough to afford university? (sorry they are the only 2 reasons I can think bout) A totally different reason?

Tikitikitembo · 10/11/2010 10:28

Why in favour ?

thesecondcoming · 10/11/2010 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

witchwithallthetrimmings · 10/11/2010 09:53

I am actually in favour of the rise in tuition fees but i would still support my son's choice to go

ChickensHaveNoLips · 10/11/2010 09:47

I'd be proud and make him sandwiches.

Tikitikitembo · 10/11/2010 09:36

I would want him to go.

colditz · 10/11/2010 09:29

many of the children round here owuld be suported in choosing to take time off school to march for the countryside alliance.

But then, we live in NotLondon.

WilfShelf · 10/11/2010 09:26

claig, you make me larf.

VERY quiet here in this university... They had to book extra coaches in the end.

WilfShelf · 10/11/2010 09:23

My DH has gone (lecturer) and I would have gone too had I not had three kids to take to school etc.

We almost decided to take them too (after all it's their future too) but decided it would just be too hectic.

And by the way, 17 is absolutely the right age to get involved in politics. I have a bit of an odd family and went on more demos in my childhood than I had hot dinners. Nevertheless, I would like all parents to support their kids in expressing their political views: I think he's MORE likely to get into university by getting involved in such poitics, than less, tbh...

BoffinMum · 10/11/2010 09:15

Can I just flag up that all under 18s are supposed to ask permission from parents to attend the demo, which is a condition laid down by the orgnisers. Special arrangements are being made for this group and it would not be a good idea for under 18s just to turn up, IMO.

goingroundthebend4 · 10/11/2010 06:07

ds is going and he has explained to college why himself no note required from me.At almost 17 he is a young man .I will guide him as far as I can but He makes his own choices now there fore has to learn to acceot any consequences

faustina · 10/11/2010 05:58

both mine are going and I'm very very proud of them. They've had to lay on extra coaches from Cambridge because so many people are going. DS2 had a supervision scheduled, but he emailed his tutor and she's rearranged the day and wished him luck. I hope your son does go

lifeinlimbo · 10/11/2010 00:46

I think its important for him to go too, because these changes will directly affect him (but they wont affect your DP).

The government is imposing a mortgage size loan on all teenagers who are intelligent and show an interest in higher education. These teenagers aren't even old enough to vote, wont be earning, yet they are being saddled with funding the HE sector. Confused

Doublevanillalatte · 10/11/2010 00:09

Oh dear - I can relate to all sides of these posts!
My son has just left the private system to go to
college and what an experience it has been for me!
He has gone from boy to man in a few weeks and no
longer feels that permission needs to be sought from his parents! He is planning on going tomorrow - college has given permission for students to attend as long as they can show some evidence of being there. I hope that it will be a safe environment for him and that he enjoys the experience.

Chaotica · 09/11/2010 23:18

I'd certainly be proud of him for going. I'm encouraging my students to go.

(But then I come from a family who were proud when I got the secondary school out on strike for a day against compulsory unpaid workschemes for teenagers in the 80s...)

gorionine · 09/11/2010 23:09

I would encourage him t go.

thesecondcoming · 09/11/2010 23:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BoffinMum · 09/11/2010 22:25

More info from main website

BoffinMum · 09/11/2010 22:23

Plans for the demo/march

WildPansy · 09/11/2010 22:22

I'm going too, monkeysavingexpert, and haven't told my mum either Grin. She'd only worry. Likewise have been thinking about the picnic aspect.

BoffinMum · 09/11/2010 22:21

Sadly this is true, but I am wondering whether anyone will ever listen to the younger generation or whether they will have to start poll tax style riots to get attention.

huddspur · 09/11/2010 22:17

Although I agree with the protestors, direct action like this generally achieves nothing

BoffinMum · 09/11/2010 22:07

You know, from the work emails I am getting, there seem to be serious numbers going from a great many universities, from what I can tell. It is all very organised, buses are laid on, and as the weather is likely to be fine, I am sure this will increase turnout even more. I am trying to guess how many people are likely to be there.

iwastooearlytobeayummymummy · 09/11/2010 21:33

My DD1 will be there, but she was also on BBC news last week staging a 24hour sit in at Goldmiths in a protest about student fees.

(Very proud mummy emoticon)

breathtakingben · 09/11/2010 21:01

Can someone link me to info about this.