DH explanation of referendum result to 12 year old?

[margewiththebluehair]

DS was completely distraught this morning watching the news of the result. Mortified and inconsolable. He just kept saying why? over and over. He has been keenly following the referendum and insisting to DH and I that we vote remain for a myriad reasons.

DH tried to reassure him that UK is still a global power and that while things will be difficult, it is nothing to worry too much about (of course both DH and I were equally mortified - and we ARE worried - but didn't want DS to know that).

But DS went on and on about why would people be so dumb - So DH just explained that a lot of uneducated people voted and since the uneducated outnumber the educated - they won. DS accepted this as a reasonable explanation. I am not convinced it is true.

I don't think labelling all Brexit voters as uneducated is very sensible. He's likely to repeat this and it is your DHs view, not his and it simply isn't true. (I'm a remain voter for what it's worth, but do have friends who voted leave who are on no way uneducated)

The simple facts are people voted for what they believed was for the best and this time slightly more people thought we would be better out than in. That's how voting works and that's why it's important that when he's old enough he takes it seriously and uses his vote wisely.

People didn't vote the way you voted... so they are all thick? What an ignorant opinion!

Might as well say all the remainers were the middle class establishment and wanted to entrench their privilege and wealth at the expense of the hard working majority.

My son also has an interest in politics but obviously doesn't understand much of it, he's a little younger than your DS. He knew the referendum was coming and went to the polling station with me and DH to make our votes. I did my best to offer him a simple argument for both leaving the EU and remaining, ensuring whatever the outcome he wouldn't be worried either way.

I think it's ridiculous your DH has explained that the Leave campaign won because there's lots of uneducated people allowed to vote.

Well there apparently is a strong collation between more education and voting remain. Not sure it's useful telling that to a 12yo.

My 12yo is just coming out if a panic attack after learning the result. I am swaying between telling her not to be so silly and putting the blame entirely at Boris' door.
I compromised and told her that the worst thing that would happen in the near future is we have to put up with Boris and Farrage being unbearably smug. It did raise a smile.

I am offended that your dh has tarred every leave voter with the 'uneducated, thick' brush.

Our children look up to us and whatever our views, it's one time we should be impartial when we are explaining something to a child.

How much harder would it have been to say everyone has a different opinion and reasons for voting they way they did. That everyone who voted did so with the best of intentions for their beliefs.

How can he teach your ds tolerance and acceptance when he's resorted to playground tactics because the vote didn't go the way he wanted?

I did my best to offer him a simple argument for both leaving the EU and remaining, ensuring whatever the outcome he wouldn't be worried either way.

My DC are younger than the OP's but sn't this what every responsible parent should do when dealing with children? Why allow them to believe we're doomed if one particular result happens? They have no control over it and the world is a scary enough place without that additional concern surely?

isn't this.

Your Ds sounds like a massive drama queen and your DH sounds like the uneducated one. Do you not see how your post comes across?

Check out the stats - there is a correlation between areas with low levels of people with a degree, and low levels of formal qualification and exit voting.

So he's not actually that wrong.

Your dh has find him fuck all favours there tbf.

So from now on every time someone differs from him politically or in life there's no debate? Just im right and you're uneducated?

I think it's offensive to teach your child that someone who doesn't agree with your view point is uneducated. And I voted to remain.

I'm afraid I agree with PPie

12 Yo children having panic attacks over brexit? WTF what are some parents telling their children.

there is a correlation between areas with low levels of people with a degree, and low levels of formal qualification and exit voting

Are all remainers thick? Correlation is NOT causation. It is probably more likely that people with less qualifications have a lower income, live in less wealthy areas and are therefore are more affected by immigration, wage depression, taxes going to the EU etc etc. So its not because they are thick.

people with more edu got more opportunities and earned more from the EU and vv ?

Children at school this morning were crying because there was a rumour it would be the start of world war 3. That has come from somebody's parents.

Correlation of reading the Sun/ DM would be a better indication of thickness than a degree.

I didn't correct DH because, I think there is still some truth to it. I just wasn't completely convinced it is the whole story. DH and I have 5 degrees between us - so I think it is fair to say we are highly educated.

I did notice that the only friends on facebook I see who supported leave are the ones who never made it to university. Is that a coincidence?

This article also shows how things panned out - www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/24/eu-referendum-how-the-results-compare-to-the-uks-educated-old-an/

Your Ds sounds like a massive drama queen and your DH sounds like the uneducated one. Do you not see how your post comes across?

This^^

Good grief if your children are all sobbing and having panic attacks I think you need to approach the way in which you discuss politics with them slightly differently, or turn off the TV and keep them away from newspapers until they are old enough to rationalise things a bit better.

Mine woke up this am and listened to it on the radio. 'god people are stupid' this from an 8yo on the result.

I did notice that the only friends on facebook I see who supported leave are the ones who never made it to university. Is that a coincidence?

yes, same for me. My sample size is small (30 people) The ones voted remain all have some form of higher education. HND, FdA, BA, MAs or are very much into environmental concerns.

The ones who voted leave don't have anything past A-levels.

I find it bizarre though because the ones who voted leave rely on jobs that involved driving in and out of the EU so this will just make their jobs harder or they'll lose them :/

Wow, so you've taught your 12 year old that anyone who disagrees with your opinion should be written off as "uneducated"

Nice.

Of course it's not true. It's a very complex situation. And lots of different factors lead people into making political decisions. Look at B Johnston (shame about the unfortunate initials!) - he is actually very bright - and manipulative.

I have a degree and voted 'out', but that's really by the by. I am most uncomfortable with this entire premise - that 'educated' is a synonym for 'correct' and that if someone does not share the vote of someone 'educated' they are 'wrong.'

The answer does lie in education, but to suggest that some people are too stupid to vote is one that rests uneasily with me.

"why are people so dumb"
They are not dumb, they just live a different life to you, they have a different perspective because of how their life is, what they see around them and how things affect them.

Thats the answer you should have given, not because people with a different opinion are uneducated.

So DH just explained that a lot of uneducated people voted and since the uneducated outnumber the educated

Irresponsible incorrect the think.to say to anyone let alone a 12 year old!