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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to hate this 'Graduation' malarkey

61 replies

cakeymakey · 19/07/2012 13:04

Am I being unreasonable to hate the increasing americanisation of our culture.

In my day graduation was what you did when you left university. Just once in your life.

Several of my friends are talking about 'graduation parties' for their four year olds from nursery. Its a leavers party fgs. They are not graduates. They cannot write their own names!

Feel the same about school proms - I'll be moody as anything when my boys get to that age and I am forced to contribute to tux hire and a stretch limo.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 19/07/2012 13:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DesperatelySeekingSedatives · 19/07/2012 13:09

DD is 4 and leaving nursery this week. She and her friends were meant to wear caps and gowns for their offical leavers' photos. Alot of them wouldn't though inc DD. Shame.

It's just a bit of fun for the children and the end of and era/beginning of a new one for the parents as well as their DC. Why does it bother you so much?! It doesn't take away anything from those who have graduated from university Confused

StealthPolarBear · 19/07/2012 13:12

Aha there was a similar thread recently where people like us op were called killjoys. It was about nursery graduates.

theinets · 19/07/2012 13:13

It's ridiculous and pointless, part of the all win prizes culture which makes for a generation of spoilt entitled brats. And proms..... Sad as fuck

theinets · 19/07/2012 13:15

Cap and gown for leaving nursery. Just demeans real achievement of a degree.

Tiago · 19/07/2012 13:16

I'm with you OP. I think it's bonkers.

WipsGlitter · 19/07/2012 13:17

I think it's really tacky. But loads of parents love it.

Lemonylemon · 19/07/2012 13:21

We had a graduation ceremony at DD's nursery. They all went up and got a "diploma" and when it was all over, they threw their caps in the air... Confused

AND we weren't allowed to take photos. AND we have to pay for each photo that the nursery took but still.

throckenholt · 19/07/2012 13:21

I have to say I hate the mass import of American culture (it suggests ours wasn't good enough :(). I had to look up what a "brown bag philosophy" meeting was yesterday - apparently it is a lunchtime seminar (why not call it that ?!). Don't think I know anyone who has their lunch in a brown bag !

OP - end of year party seems the best name to me (does what it says on the tin).

LeanderBear · 19/07/2012 13:24

YABU. It is just another name for the end of year party and the kids enjoy it. It's a bit daft and a bit American but that's ok. It's just an excuse for a celebration and I don't see anything wrong with that. At my DS's Prom some of the girls were wearing very over the top dresses but they were not necessarily. I don't think most people spent much money.

NarkedRaspberry · 19/07/2012 13:27

It's odd. And tacky.

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 19/07/2012 13:29

I hate it too. But DD can write her own name Grin

Jins · 19/07/2012 13:30

I got told I was bonkers on the other thread but I don't care. Grin

Put me in the killjoy camp

GetOrfMoiiLand · 19/07/2012 13:31

What leander said.

I think it is quite sweet to be honest. A bit of daftness.

How on earth a pretend graduation for 4 year old demeans the achievement of a real degree I don't know.

Showmethemhappyfeet · 19/07/2012 13:32

Kids leaving nursery cant write their own names?Hmm

Viviennemary · 19/07/2012 13:32

I think it's pathetic, pointless and totally tacky.

notcitrus · 19/07/2012 14:38

You think that's bad - I have a certificate for dd's 'graduation' from baby group. She's five months old!

janelikesjam · 19/07/2012 15:02

YANBU. Can I add "Uni" to the list. I mean, the students can't even be bothered to say the whole word "Uni-versity" as it might sound, I dunno, too serious or sumfink. God, I feel in a bad mood just thinking about it all ...

SpamMarie · 19/07/2012 15:05

I think on its own it's rather sweet, but together with everything else, it's all part of society setting up youngsters with an undeserved sense of entitlement. You shouldn't be rewarding for basic, required behaviour, at least not once they're old enough to understand right from wrong. Even in the nicest of kids, this will generally lead to disappointment when they finally realise you don't get a party in real life for doing the bare minimum of what's expected. Of course, it can have much worse consequences than that in other kids.

Perhaps I'm just bitter though, as the only graduation I ever had was for university, and frankly that was rubbish compared to some of these parties!

PenisVanLesbian · 19/07/2012 15:05

Of all the stupid things to complain about...kids having fun has got to be one of the most pathetic. Take the stick out of your arse and let people do whatever they like.

I don't think my 4 year old dressing up for a photo with a cap and gown demeans any of my degrees, thanks all the same.

headfairy · 19/07/2012 15:07

YABU cakey, my ds can write his name :o

But yes, the graduation ceremony I went to yesterday was a bit ridiculous.

Abra1d · 19/07/2012 15:08

YANBU.

germyrabbit · 19/07/2012 15:08

aw it's just cute isn't it? why can't we just have a bit of fun now and again

butisthismyname · 19/07/2012 15:09

When dd left nursery, they had a little celebration where the nursery teacher read out a bit about each child (v small nursery) and gave them all a 'most likely to be...' medal. DD is most likely to be an MP Hmm it was sweet. but all the other stuff is riduclous. We had a disco...

CaliforniaLeaving · 19/07/2012 15:19

Yes I think it's ridiculous and completely unnecessary too. My Ds's did have a graduation for the end of high school (in US) but not when they were so little.