Please help me clarify my thoughts around this Mother's Day Assembly...

I've mentioned this at our school too. It's completely run by women. You'd think one of them would have changed it but I seem to be the only one that's even noticed, let alone made an issue out of it.

They sing it every year. I don't know if I'd dare say anything to a teacher. I said something to one of the TA's and she very sweetly tried to explain that it didn't really mean anything and it was just a song.

It does reinforce a stereotype though doesn't it? I'm glad I'm not the only one that's noticed.

Perhaps we could suggest some changes next year?

Goodness! My job-share partner and I were discussing this today (how M's day assemblies/cards are all about 'mummy cooks my tea and that's lovely!').

I was worried I was over-thinking this, but it makes me cross - and I agree with Lottiedouble, presumably the teachers at primary school are overwhelmingly female and have degrees.

I am crap at cooking tea, but I'm alright at putting bread on the table.

snatch

Ooh, I've got another version:

"She may not have a willy, but she helps me with my homework and that's what matters to me."

That's the second thread tonight where I've seen that song referenced- wtf? Please complain if your child's school is singing this shite.

Presumably their degree educated (mainly female) teachers are teaching them it?

Even "Degree or no degree" would be less shit, and scan better.

line "She may not have a degree, but she helps me with my homework, and that's what matters to me."

What the fuck??

The timing thing is probably to do with school logistics sp not really worth raising.

However the song is ridiculous. Any song that reinforces stereotypes about any group of people should not be sung in a school. I would definitely raise it with the teacher.

Dd knows I've got more degrees than dad!
-bitter-

Would have bothered me too OP.

We've had that on in church, very irritating.

Assemblies just daft, if mums want tea and chat it should be first and assembly just before hometime.

Lyrics - awful, raise them with the HT.

Timing- school events generally happen at the time that works best for the children. Eg. special assembly followed by afternoon play.

It was close to the end of the school day so that it could be combined with pick-up, so I am not sure what would be better?

Sounds like that song was written in the 50's

"She may not have a degree"
Fuck. Off.
That enrages me.

The time of day thing, for some reason less so, I guess they can't please everyone but women and mothers are more than degree less servants.

I'd mention it to the head. Informally. It's insulting.

Same song at my kids' assembly too and I had the same thoughts. Especially as one of the other songs kept repeating the line 'She does all of the washing, cooking and cleaning...' Not bloody likely!!

I think you've got some valid points, that it would be worth raising. Perhaps you could begin by thanking the HT for the assembly, saying you enjoyed it etc, but you have been talking about it with your son to make sure he understands that women have qualifications and jobs and aren't JUST mums, as you felt that message did not come across as clearly as you might have liked. And you could maybe suggest that a few mums come into school and talk to the children about the jobs they do, just to put the record straight.