A pupil asked me this at school today...

[ItWasnaMeGuv]

"I support the Palestinians against the genocidal Israelies. What side are you on Palestinian or Israel?" I am a support assistant who helps in the playground where this happened. I have never, in 25 years doing this job, been asked such a personal question. I replied "well, that is a very personal question." Then changed the subject. Child is P6 (Scotland) or (Y5 England/Wales).

@TheOriginalFrench itwasnameguv is almost certainly in Scotland, and I wouldn’t bloody discuss football with school kids there either. A quid says the child in question comes from a “hoops” family.

Dear god. Sounds like he's a regular on here.

I think m you’re reacting really weirdly to this. It’s really really normal (and to be encouraged) for kids to ask things, know about things and be interested in the world and the people around them. I’ve looked after children for about 20 years and have happily discussed voting, religion, other countries and cultures, world events, conflict, laws etc. I actively encourage all my kids to talk and be interested.

Above all this, they’re encouraged to have an open mind and be respectful of other people’s opinions. The only way to teach any of this is to demonstrate it yourself.

I’d have said that I thought it was sad that any people felt they needed to fight each other, and I could see why both groups of people were angry and upset but that I didn’t think that fighting would help anyone. Maybe asked them what they thought and how they would try and solve the conflict if they were in charge.

Is asking if you believe in genocide considered a personal question? How odd

It is not an appropriate question. The person asking it is a child so they get a pass to ask inappropriate questions occasionally. You wouldn't pose that question to a colleague would you? It's also a question where every answer will be wrong in some way. The wording of it is hugely loaded. I like the answer, I'm on the side of peace, best

No one is in favour of genocide but that wasn't the question was it?

That wasn't a personal question

That was not what was asked though? What is odd is how you are twisting the words now.

Discussing is one thing if it is a lesson. Asking the personal opinion of a member of staff is quite another. It is not professional to get drawn in and be asked to "choose a side" on such contentious issues.

It wouldn’t have been professional for you to share your opinion but there’s nothing wrong with the child asking you the question. Your professional boundaries are yours to keep - it’s for you not to get drawn in, the child did nothing wrong and I don’t understand why you think they did.

I mean if an adult asked me that and described Israelis as a whole as genocidal I'd consider that anti semetic and be very tempted to ask if they were in favour of innocent civilians being kidnapped off the street and brutally raped and murdered?

Form a child it's a rude question, from an adult a manipulative one.

Child should have been told to mind their own business because it isn't their business

Yes i agree with the poster

Who says of course i am on the side of peace..

@ItWasnaMeGuv, I wonder if this DC even knows which rivers and seas they are talking about in Palestine. On TV about 6 weeks ago I saw them interviewing teens in a crowd demonstrating and chanting that 'Rivers to the seas' quote and actually not one of the five teens they asked knew the names of any rivers or seas despite parroting the quote. One adult woman, unbelievably seemed not to even know Hamas had taken hostages. When the interviewer asked what she thought about the hostage taking, she turned to ask her friend 'what hostages?'

Kid has obviously had mummy and daddy darling spouting this at home and he's brought it in.

Maybe ask his opinion on the treatment of women, children and LGB in many middle Eastern countries

Perhaps. But I also used to encounter this attitude when I was about the same age and had read a lot in the newspaper about it so did have some understanding.

You don't have to choose a side. It would have been worth explaining to a child of that age, that it is not a football match, where it is fun to support one team or the other, people are dying and it needs the leaders to get together and come to some form of agreement.

Given the child's age and the wording, please inform your designated safeguarding lead.

This is a classic example of something that is almost certainly nothing serious, but could be "a piece in the puzzle" of a genuine concern.

Of course it’s a personal and inappropriate question when it is so loaded. Who knows what would have happened if you had given an opinion which was not in line with theirs.

You didn't have to answer, but none of that makes this a personal question. A personal question would be something about your personal or family life.

The child has clearly already learned that this is a subject which motivates strong personal opinions, so they can be forgiven for asking for yours.

That doesn't mean it was a personal question - but you seem to feel that giving an answer would have revealed something intimately personal?

A question about your beliefs is also a personal question.

It’s not a personal question but would be seen as unprofessional to discuss it in a school setting, outside classroom.
Regardless it’s important that children are aware of current affairs and history as well as your country politics.

I think you should report that as a safeguarding concern.