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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:
dearprudence · 08/11/2010 22:44

Yes, I would be happy to let him have time off school for this.

edam · 08/11/2010 22:44

I think dh needs to realise that your son is 17, not 7. He doesn't actually need your (plural) permission.

ChippingIn · 08/11/2010 22:40

I'd give him permission and deal with DH's tanty later on tbh. It's not his life nor his decision - it's your sons (for the protest) and yours (for your job).

Your DH and I would last 5 minutes... I hope you are happy with him though :)

LittlePushka · 08/11/2010 22:37

yep i would - without a second hesitation ...and I would applaud him immensely for "being bothered". I think it is a huge loss to this society when its youth are excluded from or bored by politics.

If it were my son, I am afraid I'd say to anyone who disagreed (DH included)"Get political! Get real!Get living!"

Francagoestohollywood · 08/11/2010 22:37

Of course he should go.

Original poster
mrswoodentop · 08/11/2010 22:33

ChippingIn - no very rarely would he take a day off to indulge in something important to him,I use the word indulge because I suspect this is how he sees it.He sees it all as a bit suspect and an excuse for a lazy day

I so want to encourage him ,so proud of him for having a view,added complication is that I work at the school and dh is I think worried that it will reflect badly on me ,but do you know what loads have days off for holidays etc and he has never had any such days

OP posts:
pointydog · 08/11/2010 22:31

I'd try not to make a big issue of it. Maybe just tell your dh you should leave the school to follow it up and that ds should accept any consequences.

newwave · 08/11/2010 22:27

None of your DH's business in truth, he could quit school and join the army if he wants or even get married. Good on your boy

booyhoo · 08/11/2010 22:21

i think he would gain more from this march for the day than he would gain for his school education on teh same day in school.

tell him you permit him to make the decision.

whomovedmychocolate · 08/11/2010 22:21

Has he raised it at school as an issue? Not being funny but a lot of the teachers may be behind him. It must be an absolute kicker to be teaching kids to a level where they will get into university while knowing most of them won't be able to afford to go :(

Oh and personally, yes I'd not only let him go but offer to accompany him.

dontdisstheteens · 08/11/2010 22:19

My lad is 16 (at sixth form). He is going. I am worried of course but would not dream of stopping him. Kind of wish I could go too. It is decades since I had a really good protest.

Let him go. Be proud. He will remember it for a long time.

Point out to DH that he will be voting very soon...and could be married with a child (that should clinch it hee hee)

dontdisstheteens · 08/11/2010 22:19

My lad is 16 (at sixth form). He is going. I am worried of course but would not dream of stopping him. Kind of wish I could go too. It is decades since I had a really good protest.

Let him go. Be proud. He will remember it for a long time.

Point out to DH that he will be voting very soon...and could be married with a child (that should clinch it hee hee)

grannieonabike · 08/11/2010 22:16

Oh yes - part of his education, and something he'll always remember.

How to deal with your husband - not so easy.

Arguments for: only one day, part of his education in democracy, exercising his democratic right, fighting for what he believes in, this is a young man who isn't content just to sit back and let others fight his battles, er be proud that he feels strongly enough to do something about it, he can do his homework on the train (as if!), he might get his photo in the newspapers, he'll hear some famous people's speeches - he might even meet a politician - you could get him to write a 5,000 word essay when he gets back.

Hope that helps.

harpsichordcarrier · 08/11/2010 22:16

yes, I would

TheFarSide · 08/11/2010 22:13

I am extremely heartened to hear that students are taking this kind of action rather than turning into obedient little robots. We need more independent thinkers, people not afraid to speak out, blah blah. Don't really understand your DH's reasons.

pointydog · 08/11/2010 22:13

yes, I would let him

Tortington · 08/11/2010 22:13

yes yes absolutley, but i wouldnt upset family balance for it

ChippingIn · 08/11/2010 22:12

Does your DH never take a days leave to attend something important to him?

usualsuspect · 08/11/2010 22:12

I wouldn't even think that a 17 year old needed permission to go..

I would be proud of him

serenity · 08/11/2010 22:11

Yes absolutely. His education, his choice.

ChippingIn · 08/11/2010 22:11

I think you should let him go. He's 17, it's an important issue.

Do you always let DH have the final say Hmm

ravenAK · 08/11/2010 22:09

He's over school leaving age; his choice.

I would suggest he writes a brief note to the pastoral bods or whoever monitors attendance, to explain that he will not be in school & why.

(& I'd be very proud of him indeed Smile).

Northernlurker · 08/11/2010 22:08

I would let him - andgo with him if he would let me Grin

Original poster
mrswoodentop · 08/11/2010 22:07

Might be proud of him but dh won't move ,he thinks it shows a lack fo support for the school and that this is a harsh lesson that he might want to do something but has to understand that it is a school day and that commitment comes first and above all else .As far as he is concerned its a school day...fullstop

OP posts:
tethersend · 08/11/2010 22:05

I think you should be very proud of him- well done.