I think my child is a socialist?

[brokenheartedbattleostrich]

My son has just turned 15, and recently he has been coming home from school telling me how he has been learning lots about socialism. Since this started happening, we have been arguing nonstop. He doesn't seem to let anything go. Whenever I try to talk about work at the dinner table (in fairness, I am a banker), he can't go 5 minutes without getting angry at me and disrupting the meal. I understand what he is going through, he's not the only one to have a lefty phase - I had mine at university! That being said, I'm worried that he's going down a bad path, and that his behaviour is going to become a real problem. God forbid I take him into waitrose! If anyone has any advice, do share.

Um...this is a joke, right?

He’ll grow out of it when he has responsibilities.

What are your arguments about? Though to be fair at 15 it's probably not about the subject matter, more him finding his own identity and establishing independence.

Congratulations!

Listen and learn.

Send him to Venezuela for his hols.

Must be so difficult. He might grow up to be someone that cares about other people.

He’ll grow out of it when he has responsibilities.

Funniest comment of the thread so far

Don't give up your day job OP!

You’re a banker, and you’re afraid he’s going to go down a bad path?

0/10

You are unlikely to be able to take him to Venezuela as most international airlines don't fly there anymore due to the seriousness of the situation. Some pulled out a few years back. Over 3 million people have left, often on foot as a month's wages will not buy you a bus ticket due to inflation at 1,000,000% and money being worthless.

Is banker rhyming slang ?

brizzlemint Lol!

My father sold his business, (which had given well paid IT jobs to 30 people for 10 years) when I was 15, and moved into a large Victorian house.

The day we moved in, I said "Do you feel guilty for having so much money"

I still cringe about it now.

“Lefty phase”.

Because no adults are left wing. None at all.

Left is just a phase. We all know the right way

Sounds like you could learn a lot from him.

I have socialist leanings. When I was 15 though I decided I was absolutely anti capitalist. Apart from when I wanted some new Nike trainers for PE. And I forgot all about the plight of Cambodian workers when I was bought a GAP denim jacket.

OP, have you only just realised you have a teenager?

Is banker rhyming slang ?

Yup and in this case partically fitting esp. As i suspect op is male

I like the cut of his jib.

Are you a bit bored BrokenHearted?

Maybe he's just learned at school that bankers are one of the reasons this country is on its knees and he thinks you're one of them.

I think it's great when teenagers have a bit of oomph about them and they should most definitely start to question things. Leaders of the future!

Is banker rhyming slang ?

Don't talk about things that are likely to cause arguments like your job. Sounds like you are deliberately trying to wind him up. My father used to do this to me when I began to show left wing tendencies (which turned out not to be a phase). Thought he knew better and would smugly try and wind me up.
He's moderated his view now and we are close but I always thought why could he not just be pleased that I showed an interest in politics unlike many of my 15 year old peers.
I have a very left leaning son and I don't always agree with his view but I respect it.

Don't be adversarial - respect his viewpoint and be happy your son is taking an interest in politics.