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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Is dh being unreasonable

60 replies

bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:15

Dds school have got mini options for year 9 and they involve choosing between computer science and 3 other subjects, think a language , design etc

Dh is cross that computer science can be dropped , he thinks it should be made compulsory but the issue is DD is adamant she doesn't want to do it and shouldn't be forced

Dh wants me to back him up but she seems really miserable about it and says she doesn't like python (?) And it's hard and she wants to do something she enjoys like art or design

He says he won't make her take it at GCSE but it's too important a subject to drop now

After any opinions please Smile

OP posts:
Ikeameatballs · 05/03/2020 21:17

He’s being unreasonable. If she hates it now she won’t change her mind and an extra year of it at this stage will have no relevance to her career options later.

pumpkinbump · 05/03/2020 21:18

She shouldn't be forced to do it. If she develops an interest later on she can always take a course

FlaskMaster · 05/03/2020 21:19

He's an arse. Back your dd up.

Sirzy · 05/03/2020 21:21

Much better for her to do subjects she enjoys and feels she will get something out of.

Presumably she has a decent level of computer literacy already and if she wants to take it further when she is older she can.

MulberryPeony · 05/03/2020 21:22

He she done other programming languages like scratch on the iPad? Can she competently use word and excel? My DD has the same choice but also isn’t massively interested but can use a computer and do simple programming.

I taught myself BASIC as a kid but my IT GCSE added nothing to my life! Everything was pre PC and out of date almost as soon as I started work! My BASIC gets me around most things like changing macros and writing excel functions. Who knows how long python will be around for?

MulberryPeony · 05/03/2020 21:22

Has she not he she Hmm

Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:24

Thank you , yes she seems to know what she's doing , most of her homework is computer based these days

That's what I'm thinking , she's feisty and passionate about lots of things and I don't want this to kill her enthusiasm for learning

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Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:25

Does anyone agree with him that it should be compulsory these days like maths and English?

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Michaelbaubles · 05/03/2020 21:32

Computer science is coding and stuff, nothing to do with using a computer in day to day life. A great intro for people thinking about studying it later but absolutely not essential at all.

MitziK · 05/03/2020 21:35

There's next to no actual coding in the latest GCSE spec. It's almost purely theoretical.

She'd hate it.

Tell DH to fuck off and for her to take Art like she wants to.

MereDintofPandiculation · 05/03/2020 21:35

I've been reading an article in the magazine of the Institute of Electrical Engineers (or whatever it's called nowadays) on the job market of the future, basically that a huge proportion of today's children in 20 years time will be doing jobs that don't even exist today. Their advice on futureproofing children included teaching them both maths and coding. So he's probably being sensible that computer science should feature in her education. But if she's so against it now, maybe now is not the right time.

AlwaysCheddar · 05/03/2020 21:36

Your dh is a dick and needs to go back to school

Dozer · 05/03/2020 21:37

He’s right IMO.

SoloMummy · 05/03/2020 21:40

In the world of work I come from, English, maths and it have higher weightings than sciences. So I am with your husband on this one.

GrumpyHoonMain · 05/03/2020 21:43

Your DH is right and you need to back him up. Everyone hoping to work in 25 years needs to have machine language / python skills and another language otherwise they won’t have a job

GetTheSprinkles · 05/03/2020 21:45

I'd only be on your DH's side if it would impact her future career / job prospects. Does she know what she wants to do? Obviously it is likely to play a part but would it be a necessity?
I hated chemistry in year 9 and dropped it. My dad went into the school the next day and told them there was no way I could drop out & made me sign back up.
It turned out chemistry was a pre-requisite for a veterinary degree and I'm now a vet. Thanks dad...!

Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:47

Oh god conflicting views!

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Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:48

@GrumpyHoonMain so what about after year 9? You'd make them do it at GCSE?

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Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:50
Grin

@AlwaysCheddar whilst you made me laugh it doesn't help me argue her case to him!

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Michaelbaubles · 05/03/2020 21:52

Your DH is right and you need to back him up. Everyone hoping to work in 25 years needs to have machine language / python skills and another language otherwise they won’t have a job

That’s utter rubbish.

There’ll be different ways of working by then - that’s like digging through job applications now based on whether someone learned BASIC on their BBC Micro in 1985...

TheReluctantCountess · 05/03/2020 21:53

It’s her choice.

iklboo · 05/03/2020 21:54

Your DH is right and you need to back him up. Everyone hoping to work in 25 years needs to have machine language / python skills and another language otherwise they won’t have a job

Yep. All those doctors, nurses, dentists, hospitality workers, chefs, emergency service officers. All going to be buggered if they can't code.

HarrietThePi · 05/03/2020 21:55

I don't believe everyone will need to know python! It probably will have evolved in 25 years time. I think it's probably a good subject to take anyway, but if she dislikes it that much she's unlikely to do well in it.

I didn't even do GCSE IT when I was at school (early 00s) because it was really boring. I ended up working in Tech.

Quartz2208 · 05/03/2020 21:55

doing a gcse isnt going to help though. IT (as it was called) at my school involved database work that frankly no longer exists. I have managed to learn all I need in my work life not through my GCSEs. That should be in something she enjoys

Original poster
bigchris · 05/03/2020 21:55

She says she gets to choose and she's going to talk to her head of year , she's 13 !

He says he fills in the form , it's awful being stuck in the middle

I do think it's her choice and pointless to make her study something for only a year that she'll hate

He thinks the year will make her enjoy it

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