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.

I'm still waiting to grow out of my socialist phase at 30 (communism has it's merits but doesn't work on a large scale, best left to student houseshares.) One of my friends at school called himself a hippy communist, he was ace.

RE taxes, I have colleagues who moan about paying their taxes (which they have no say in as it goes through the PAYE system) who earn exactly the same as me. Drives me bananas.

Oh what bollocks you will always always need a section of volunteers

The pay will always be poor (that’s universal) and the service given will be by people who often are not wanting to be there

Funding absolutely needs to be improved but this socialist utopia of covering all costs that you speak of doesn’t exist

But you know it gives socialists something else to dream about

Is this Jeremy's time traveling mum?

Why would you take a 15 year old with you to Waitrose? He can stay at home on his own, surely?

[misses point of thread]

Why exactly does care need to be done by volunteers rather than properly funded professionals?

have none of you read the papers recently? You may want to check out what is going on in Venezuela at the moment. Or you could look at pretty much any full on socialist country for an example of a shit show. While some welfare policies are moral and economically beneficial. Full on socialism just breeds poverty, misery and limitations on freedoms.

@tamereapoli can you name an actual socialist country that does that?

I thought the anti capitalist thing was par for the course when they are teenagers?

I remember my peers going on an 'anti-capitalism' march and my step dad muttering about biting the hands that feed at that age. .

Once he is making his own money he probably won't want to share it. Easy to be socialist/marxist when you don't actually have any money yourself.

Because capitalism is working soooo well!

I’m a socialist and anti-work. Roll on automation!

Well there are many other roles within the care sector than just professional care work- that is done be you know professionals or those in training

I think there is a subset of mumsnet users who think bankers spend their time hiding their wealth offshore. The reality is that most investment bank employees are PAYE workers and pay away 45% to HMRC, excluding NI.
I also know plenty of people with left wing/socialist leanings who work in investment banks/private equity etc. The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

Hasnt he seen Mr Corbyn on telly and at PMQs?

It could be worse..

Made me chuckle TBF.

I was a massive leftie as a teen. Marching for the rights of the crusties, squatters and ravers as they were then known and I recall a family member saying that when I own my own home and started paying taxes that my views would change. I disagreed.

She was right though. I am still waaay left of the middle, but my opinions have changed since I started to contribute to society.

WIWD if I was you is not get drawn into arguments with him. Healthy debate is fine and great though. You should be proud that he's comfortable to defend his beliefs so vocally.

Oh right, well I'm 41 and still in my lefty phase so clearly something's wrong...

I would have thought taking the OPs son to Waitrose would be a good thing- a co-operative business without shareholders, as opposed to one founded by Jewish people which if he is a Corbynite is presumably a no-no.

Mind you, OP, why are you talking about work at the dinner table?

Listen and learn OP!

You take a 15 year old to Waitrose because mum didn't buy him an Advent calendar this year (15! For crying out loud) so he got in the, car so he can choose one for himself. On this trip with dad, he chooses"this ok?" "Yes fine, put it in trolley". There it is at home, alongside his brother's £3
Cadbury's effort, £20 of Godiva's finest. £ shop next time.

DelilahfromDenmark come on, don't ruin our banker bashing with sober facts!!

If he is so moral about where you get your money from I do hope he is refusing all pocket money and money for hobbies that have come from your grubby job?
I mean he's eating for free at your dinner table, of course socialism appeals