To think that I don't have a problem with authority, I just think that all adults are basically equal.

[thementalist]

It has been suggested that I have an issue with authority, so was just wanting to gauge opinions.

I feel that as an adult, I am equal to other adults, I know that some people have better jobs than me, get paid more than me, or vice verse, but fundamentally we are all just adults at the end of the day.

Recently at a meeting at DD's school with the head teacher and assistant head, I (politely) corrected something the head teacher said, and she said that she hoped my dd didn't have the same issues with authority as I did...

Also I took part in some research a few years ago and I was asked to take part in a follow up study as they had "never met anyone so off the scale", it was kind of centred around authority too.

I'm quite a pleasant person, I take instructions from my director, but would question him if I felt something was wrong etc. Is this normal? Am I a crazed deviant? Do i maybe not get the concept of authority, or authority figures??

the ht shouldn't be making sarky comments - they changed the atmosphere at that point - you were right to pull them up on both their error and the comment as ht was in the wrong in both instances and has misplaced sense of authority

YANBU thementalist I don't see it as a problem with autority itself but a problem with people who think they're above you, and you below them because they have a position of authority.

I will obey the law, I won't resist arrest if arrested, that wouldn't make the arresting officer BETTER than me. We are fundamentally equal beings, just that in that situation he has the authority to do what I cannot.

My Dad gave up a decent pension and a slot on the board of directors because he refused to call the new CEO 'sir' and look to the floor. He quit before he was forced out. I respect him for that more than anything. He didn't just flounce, and tried to tackle the cultural differences and issues that were relevant, but ultimately he was being asked to do something that he believed was wrong. (I'm pretty sure he could have got legal advice and fought it, but the whole situation caused a bad time for his health)

The HT is the one with the problem by the sound of it.

Your posts here seem to demonstrate that you're neither arsey nor paranoid about how peple treat you etc.

You're absolutely right that you ARE both equal adults, but in addition to that, it's actually the case that part of the job of the HT should be to work in tandem with the parents, keep them on side, keep them informed, and in return expect their support and co-operation in dealing with (especially pastorla) issues.

In other words, to work with them as equal adults!

Not only did her comments fail to reflect that, she actually undermined her relationship with this parent during this meeting, especially with her comment about a 'broken home.' A BROKEN HOME?

Do you know, I applaud you for your measured comments during this exchange, and hte only thing I am shocked about is that you did not pull her up very sharply at that point. That is a pretty perjorative term and I'm really shocked a HT wouldn't know better than to use it - ESPECIALLY as a clear 'retort' to a parent. If you reported that exchange, the HT would be in the shit.

Pastoral issues obv. Not sure what pastorla issues are but they sound far worse.