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Original poster

I think my child is a socialist?

145 replies

brokenheartedbattleostrich · 12/03/2019 02:49

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.

OP posts:
SpenglerOswald · 12/03/2019 12:15

I often wonder if some of the social and economics teachers, with very left wing views, are not actually grooming pupils politically. Is there such a thing as political grooming?

I think they do, our institutions are wriddled with cultural Marxism.

Limensoda · 12/03/2019 13:59

Capitalism is the only system that works - it’s lifted millions of people out of poverty through hard work and gumption

Doesn't seem to be working in this country here and now.
Unless,.....all those millions who are in poverty, or using food banks, evicted and homeless are all just lazy bastards with no gumption?
Millions claiming working tax credits because their capitalist employers pay them minimum wage or only offer zero hours contracts.
Still,....some are doing ok so all's well. Hmm

SinisterBumFacedCat · 12/03/2019 14:00

Good lad

DeloresJaneUmbridge · 12/03/2019 14:04

“God forbid I take him into Waitrose” Grin

You win with that line alone.

Everanewbie · 12/03/2019 14:13

Limensoda I would argue that it has lifted billions all over the world out of absolute poverty.

Absolute poverty being defined as "a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information"

There are unfortunately people that get left behind, and i would suggest that the ideas of left leaning politicians and activists should be listened to, so that a robust safety net can be refined.

Capitalism is selfish, but communism is murderous, with rates of absolute poverty through the roof everywhere that has had this system.

SpenglerOswald · 12/03/2019 14:58

The problem with socialism is that you run out of other peoples money. And by forcefully redistributing money made by the hard working and successful to the work shy disincentives hard work and success.

virgomaz · 12/03/2019 15:11

OMG my sister is having the same issue with her 13 year old, she saw Jeremy Corbyn on the tv and got a bit overexcited! They really do have a lefty phase! My sister checked her search history and found her watching socialist propaganda!! Let’s hope they grow out of it! Smile

YenneferOfVengerberg · 12/03/2019 16:15

When I was that age all I cared about was Metallica, computer games and the latest episode of Friends. The fact that your son is interested in politics is a good thing.

And if you can't take him to Venezuela, try Sweden. It's pretty lefty. Assuming this isn't a windup, which I suspect it is. Doubt OP will ever come back.

PettyContractor · 12/03/2019 17:18

Eight million people die a year from a lack of access to clean water, seven and a half million starve to death, three million die for lack of vaccines, another half a million from malaria.

I don't think any of that is caused be capitalism. It might be a fair point that people who have lots of money (as a consequence of capitalism) could do something about it though.

TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu · 12/03/2019 21:37

why is it not caused by capitalism? we have the wherewithal to solve the problems but don't because there's not enough profit margin to doing so. That's, like, capitalism 101.

daftgeranium · 12/03/2019 21:45

Good. Encourage them all you can. Be proud of them. Socialism actually cares about people, rather than just greed like the Tories, or racism like the right wingers.....

daftgeranium · 12/03/2019 21:46

The fact that so many people on here consider 'lefty' to be a problem, shows how many numpty Daily Mail readers need to grow some intelligence ....

Desperateforspring · 12/03/2019 22:30

I don't care who started this thread some brilliant comments and book recommendations

Thanks to the poster who has alerted me to the Jordan Peterson book and the others book

onthenaughtystepagain · 12/03/2019 22:33

May have been said already, can't plough through pages but it used to be said that anyone not socialist before 21 was soft in the heart, anyone socialist after 21 was soft in the head! You have 6 years to cure him!

Desperateforspring · 12/03/2019 22:34

A1203 ..

Yes political grooming is a thing! I'm going to enjoy reading about the tribal aspects of it in aforementioned books.

I've had it first hand, as a pupil... and seen it in DC's school and witnessed it myself

HepzibahHumbug · 12/03/2019 22:40

OP you haven't said exactly what yr problem with his socialism is.

Do you think he is being brainwashed to hate unregulated capitalism?

Um.

JamaicinMeHungry · 12/03/2019 22:46

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

You've given me a good laugh OP :) wish there were more people like you on mumsnet :) loved the waitrose line!! :)

Thank you :)

GrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrinGrin

HepzibahHumbug · 12/03/2019 22:47

But I think yr prob right too. Economics and politics teachers may well lean left as these are easier chunks of ideology to teach to young people (who have a different experience of equality than adults) and most teachers are in public sector and teaching less privileged kids. This is a really interesting topic!! Well raised.

How do we teach kids, via state funded schools and public sector paid teachers, about the benefits of private enterprise???

Great thread.

SpenglerOswald · 12/03/2019 22:55

How do we teach kids, via state funded schools and public sector paid teachers, about the benefits of private enterprise??? not clamping down on it would be a good start.

HepzibahHumbug · 12/03/2019 23:00

Pp: not clamping down on what exactly? Sorry didn't understand yr point

SpenglerOswald · 12/03/2019 23:06

@Hepzibah - schools deter anything remotely entrepreneurial really, for example they clamp down on kids selling pop or confectionery which is a time honoured hustle (although it was cigarettes in my day). It just sends the message that innovation and enterprise is something to be discouraged.

Bunnyhop1502 · 12/03/2019 23:10

Has he grown a beard and started reading the Morning Star yet?

pepperpot99 · 13/03/2019 11:02

Indeed Spengler. If your dc were to sell vegan wraps and beancurd rolls it'd be a different story no doubt. 'Pop or confectionery' ? really? you want your dc to be pimping out E numbers and crap to an already obese demographic? Wink

EnthusiasmIsDisturbed · 13/03/2019 13:47

Socialism actually cares about people, rather than just greed like the Tories

Oh yes those good and lovely socialists 😇 it’s well known in the care sector that Tory voting individuals are the backbone of many services giving their time and energy and care for free

I know far more socialists who moan about how this isn’t fair but do fuck all about it but complain

TaMereAPoilDevantPrisu · 13/03/2019 13:52

they wouldn't have to give their time and energy and care for free if the care sector were properly funded socialist-style Hmm