To let my DD go on strike on Friday? (Youth Strike for Climate Change protest)

[PuppyMonkey]

She’s very passionate about the environment and has even been suffering from anxiety worrying about the future of the planet. I think it’ll be good for her to attend the local protest march on Friday.

She’s written a brilliant letter to her form teacher expressing her reasons for wanting to go. The teacher said “thanks for this, it’s great.” I’ve also emailed the head informing him she intends to strike, no response yet.

Am I going to get a massive fine?

I think she has a basic right to peaceful protest. Am I wrong?

She’s in Year Seven.

Do it. As long as she's not been absent at other times one day won't get you a fine.

YANBU.

Good for her.

Yes do it

Depends what she'll be doing instead of being in school!

.

Phew thank you. I thought people were going to tell me I’m being irresponsible.

Milk, as I said in OP, she’s going to the protest event organised in our nearest big city. Her dad is taking her along.

So she will be missing a day of school? That would be a no from me.

I hope they're cycling there then.

They’re going on the bus.

This is a good opportunity to explain that civil disobedience sometimes comes with a cost. It is part of what makes it meaningful. The protester has to decide if they are willing to pay the cost. At this age It might end up just being a missed day of education, it might end up being a fine, it might be a detention for an unexcused absence. As an adult it could mean lost wages, fines, or even a night in jail. None of those costs mean that protesting should not happen.

Diesel fumes....

Tbh I actually don't see any harm in her going, but I do think anyone taking such a stand has to have a really, really good look at their own carbon footprint.

You're going to tell me she reads recycled books by candlelight now... 😁

I have told DP he’s not allowed to get put in jail.

The group running it isn’t that Extinction Rebellion lot. It’s inspired by the Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg. They’re just going to gather at the main council building with some banners etc. And that’s about it!

No, milk, we do have electricity and running water.

TBH, our household’s carbon footprint isn’t too bad I don’t think. We don’t go on planes (mainly because I’m terrified of flying ) and she walks to school etc etc, or we car share with neighbours’ kids if weather is atrocious.

We have two cars, but we need them really as we’re foster carers so need to transport our two LACs to contact etc (ie different contacts in separate places).

We do our best!

I would Definitely allow / encourage my children to do this

Climate strike is FAR more important than school. Go girl!!

My DD went to one of the strikes. She did go to school in the morning and o gave permission for her to leave school to attend.

Her school is in the city centre so was logistically very easy for us.

Her school was very supportive

@MilkTwoSugarsThanks

My thoughts exactly. Climate change protesting is all well and good, although I'm not entirely sure what such protesters want to happen. I don't know anyone who isn't aware of climate change and if the government here, or any government, is going to do something they will do it so I'm still lost as to what the purpose is of these protests. However, as long as they practice what they preach, I say good luck to them. It's good to stand for something.

Dds school have said due to health and safety they can’t authorise but if parents sigh child out they won’t get into trouble

Milk2 sugars - there are limitations one can do in intervening whilst also living a perfectly-observed life. Some travel and energy expenses are required and reasonable whilst at the same time campaigning for their end/reduction. These points are often thrown at protesters by their adversaries who just don't want to recognise the need for change, so will carp pointlessly and unreasonably.

let her go. this issue needs every drop of energy and focus. Good on your DD

Climate change or, as it’s now rightly referred to, Climate crisis will impact on her generation in so many incredibly negative ways; I think it’s important to give her space to express her protest that, despite this, it’s not being taken sufficiently seriously here or in many other countries. We need a lot more to happen than swapping plastic for recycled bags/straws etc! She sounds like a great young woman and YANBU for supporting her.

Nope that’s ridiculous, she should be in school. Not protesting.

The only thing is if she is suffering anxiety about climate change I would worry that focusing on it might make that worse.

Absolutely let her go!