Extreme vegans presenting at DSs' school

[Tipsntoes]

DS1 is in lower sixth as part of their General Studies element (they call it something else but I forget!) they have guest speakers. This week it was what he describes as "extreme vegans". Apparently they gave a very one sided presentation about the evils of eating animal products, supported by lots of graphic images.

DS and his friends are outraged at being lectured to in this way and have spent the day having heated discussions and formulating a counter argument. AIBU to think this is exactly the reason the presenter was invited?

So if an anti smoking presentation had been given at school in the 50s, say, Would people have been just as up in arms about that? 'Well the pro-tobacco lobby should be given a voice' etc etc. I'm not a vegan or a vegetarian but they've got a point.

Khalli wali - Is it humane to slaughter an animal for you to use a mobile phone. lap top, £5 notes, house paint, photographs, I could go on?

You chose which animal products you're willing to use, I chose mine. We all chose where we draw our line.

Rothbury, one sided presentations do not encourage free thinking.

If he has the stomach to eat meat he surely has the stomach to see where it comes from?

Maybe my language about how he was feeling was too "extreme" I just found it interesting to see how he and his friends reacted to their first really biased presentation. And thought it was quite clever of the school to stimulate debate in this way.

In response to the poster who asked about compulsory school religion, that actually explain's DS's reaction. I can't speak for all schools but in the ones I've worked in religion/Christianity is taught on the basis that some people believe this, some people believe something else, all their views are valid/to be respected and this is the history of it. I've never seen any religion taught in school as absolutely the only way to live.

northern OP

Of course one-sided presentations can be great and clearly this one was - OP's DC and friends were still discussing it days later. As soon to be voters they are honing their skills to analyse and not believe everything they're told. If they delved deeper they might examine where the photos presented came from, whether they'd been doctored and examine any claims made by the presenters. And to another PP - if it had been someone advocating smoking, drinking or whatever one-sidedly - presumably the students have the nous or should be developing the nous to analyse what they're being told.

I’m quite aghast at the idea you wouldn’t want to politicise the young. What’s the alternative? Teach them all to do as they are told, not question anything, and not determine their own destinies?

‘Politics’ is how society is organised, how money is distributed - it’s whether we have an NHS, free schooling, a standing army. Damn right I want my children politicised! Otherwise they’d just roll over and do whatever they are told by the people in power and that never ends well for the ones rolling over.

For all those saying that UK farming has decent animal welfare, you are simply misinformed.

www.landofhopeandglory.org Shows reality of much of the UK farming.

OPs son and all the others who can't stand the thought of seeing the graphic pics, but are happy to pay for it to create an unhealthy meal for their tastebuds, really need to open their eyes to animals suffering. Cognitive dissonance.

If he has the stomach to eat meat he surely has the stomach to see where it comes from?

That is our logic. We only eat what we hunt, if you want to eat meat you should be prepared to work for it. Consequently we eat less meat and are grateful for the animals life.

Kursk I can appreciate that. Not my bag, I couldn't kill anything therefore I won't eat it. But the animal welfare in the meat and dairy industry is abhorrent and I can't believe people happily fund it.

.... Then complain that it is extreme. So stop funding it. Then he can stop moaning.

Batteries, my opinion is that you gain your political opinions over time and as a result of life experiences, not by brainwashing. As for the support for one sided presentations does that apply to anti immigration, anti abortion, pro Brexit ?