Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think children are now in charge

319 replies

Itsmeagainandagain · 01/04/2021 07:25

The school kids protesting in London, how things have changed when we were children we done what we were told, now the kids are laying down the law and dictating to adults.

We already know children know they are above the law and untouchable, we had Greta Thunburg blame the older generation for all the faults of planet earth.

AIBU to think that children are being disrespectful and have no idea how the real world works? These are the same children who would be in floods of tears screaming if you changed the WiFi password to their gadgets, WiFi that us adults work to pay for!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsmeagainandagain · 01/04/2021 08:23

@TheGumption

Oh okay, so because FGM exists we shouldn't be concerned with any other female issues. And black people need to suck it up if their afro hair doesn't fit the uniform policy. Got it. Women and ethnic minorities, its time to get back in your boxes. Would you like to add any more '-ists' to your list OP? You've ticked off sexist and racist so far.
Well if you have a problem with afro hair that's your problem, I actually like my frizzy curls, thanks.
OP posts:
LuaDipa · 01/04/2021 08:23

@gildalilly

Younger people rising up and demanding change is the only real hope I have for this country. I love the fact that they call out what's wrong and I wish I'd had the same spirit when I was their age. I hope that they continue in an effort to make the world a better place.
Totally agree. I think it’s wonderful that our children are empowered to speak their minds and fight for change. They are individuals with their own thoughts and opinions just like the rest of us, and the days of children being seen and not heard are long gone thank goodness.
Graciebobcat · 01/04/2021 08:24

I was reading not long ago about how goody two shoes, non-rebellious and far too accepting the younger generations are. Not like in the 1960s! Students were leading protests against the status quo!

Now some of them have been getting out and protesting, challenging the older generations and making their voices heard they are being criticised for doing that. They can't win.

Examine yourself, OP. Why are you so angry and resentful about them?

GrapeLipBalm · 01/04/2021 08:24

Kids did protest in the 70s. Against the cane

jessstan2 · 01/04/2021 08:24

Oh right, does that mean you didn't intend to post, "...we done what we were told"?

CandyLeBonBon · 01/04/2021 08:25

Op. I really don't know what your beef is? People making sure their voices are heard?

Why is that a problem?

Frazzlefrazle · 01/04/2021 08:26

Gosh you really are coming across as very ignorant. I suggest actually reading these news articles instead of just the headlines. Whilst you are there do some reading about greta, you might surprise yourself.

pointythings · 01/04/2021 08:27

They brought me up to respect my elders though.

Teaching children that they must uncritically respect others purely based on age does them a disservice. The default assumption should indeed be courtesy and respect - but when an older person behaves in ways that are unacceptable, that respect can and should be lost.

Should my DDs have respected their alcoholic father when he behaved abusively? Should I have respected the sharp-elbowed old lady who literally elbowed me in the ribs in a queue so she could get in front of me - not even asking? Hell no.

And your last comment sounds like these guys.

TheGumption · 01/04/2021 08:27

🤣 I'll see your "frizzy curls" and raise you actual afro hair. Having been treated like shit for it throughout my life I'm happy to see schoolkids taking action.

Tombero · 01/04/2021 08:28

Is this a bad April Fools joke?

Thank goodness we’re raising a generation of children who are prepared to stand up for something they believe in.

AgnesNaismith · 01/04/2021 08:28

‘Don’t speak until you’re spoken to’ and ‘respect your elders’ were constantly thrown around when I was young.

I’m glad this doesn’t happen anymore, people shouldn’t be immune from criticism because they’re old. Children are people too and their opinions are valid.

B33Fr33 · 01/04/2021 08:29

I'm not sure where it is a problem that a % of a generation are politically motivated? I mean someone has to be interested in ALL the jobs in every generation, right?

Lessthanaballpark · 01/04/2021 08:29

You want black women to be treated fairly? Then let them grow their hair as freely as white women grow their hair, without being stigmatised or made to feel their hair is unprofessional.

It’s 100% racist to say that the way in which black people’s hair grows is somehow not as acceptable, can’t you see that?

And telling hijabi students that their scarves need to be black and cover their whole hair? What the hell?

And finally students are demanding that their history curriculum reflects the history of the people they are teaching, not just some white male privileged minority.

Good for them.

jessstan2 · 01/04/2021 08:29

Yes.

Also about laws against homosexuality

Anti-apartheid - Free Nelson Mandela

Rock against racism

Plenty of other issues.

Spudbyanyothername · 01/04/2021 08:30

Children are indulged a little too much sometimes (including literally with childhood obesity) I do think it’s ok to be a bit bored and hungry at times. I think they have to be given the chance to take small risks/learn from mistakes. I think mine would have reasonable questions and wonder why I had changed the WiFi code (all under 12), I don’t know anyone’s children who would cry.

Protest is not the problem! Why not air views and try to change things. I love hearing idealistic teens.

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 01/04/2021 08:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Windchangeface · 01/04/2021 08:30

Children are indeed starting to be much more present influences and opinions in society yes.

It’s a big transition from the ‘do as we say not as we do’ and ‘kids to be seen not heard’ mentality of the 50’s yes.

It’s quite easy to see why it’s happening though, I mean kids today are much more informed, educated and able to vocalise (largely due to social media platforms...etc) than we were. I mean I was born in the 90’s and was still so sheltered compared to teens nowadays. Honestly I wish I had known more about the environment/feminism and politics and could have been more active. I’m not a big fan of the world I was given to ‘get on with’ as an adult.

It also sounds like you’re getting weirdly mixed up between ‘little shits think they can do whatever they want and they’re untouchable’ and ‘kids don’t want to spend the rest of their lives trying to rectify us royally screwing them over for our convenience’

Each generation so far has acted solely in its own best interests and then handed the carnage over to the next generation to deal with.

We already have serious global warming, lack of jobs, significant over population, massive economic debts and a country where getting on the property ladder is unrealistic for 70% of young people.... I mean I can understand why preteens now are looking and thinking ‘shit I don’t want to grow up in that’

UhtredRagnarson · 01/04/2021 08:31

I feel confident in saying Greta Thunberg has been far more valuable to the world in her 16 short years than you will be in all your life op.

Schoolisback1973 · 01/04/2021 08:31

What does 'respect your elders' mean? Putting up with sexism, racism, islamophobia, climate change? They're calling what they are seeing and good on them!
You're obviously not affected by any of it so you don't care for positive changes for others.
Their generation and world will be better for it.

Original poster
Itsmeagainandagain · 01/04/2021 08:33

[quote BatleyTownswomensGuild]@Tombero - oh gosh, maybe it IS an April Fools joke! Forgot the date!

Don't feed the troll, People!![/quote]
Because I asked this I'm a troll? QUICK ALL SHOUTDOWN someone who dares go against the woke brigade, call them racist, troll ect.

OP posts:
Mittens030869 · 01/04/2021 08:33

They brought me up to respect my elders though

Me as well funnily enough. By my abusive F. I’m not saying that respect shouldn’t be a thing, but age shouldn’t be the only reason why someone deserves it.

The younger generation have good cause to be angry with their ‘elders’ where climate change is concerned. They’re the ones who will have to deal with the consequences when we’re long gone from this world.

And no, I’m not at all condoning the litter, that’s disgraceful. But why assume that it’s the same young people as those who are protesting?

Alsohuman · 01/04/2021 08:33

I’m really proud of them. They’re passionate about making the world a better place and doing something about it. It augers well for the future. I’m just sorry that I’m too old to see what the world is like when it’s in their hands.

Conditionconditioncondition · 01/04/2021 08:34

A bit pot kettle OP calling people disrespectful Confused

UhtredRagnarson · 01/04/2021 08:34

They brought me up to respect my elders though

Didn’t they bring you up to respect everyone? Including yourself? Mine did.

CovidCorvid · 01/04/2021 08:35

I think anyone regardless of age should protest against injustices. The plimlico students were right to do what they did. Curriculums should be decolonised. They should be able to wear hairstyles such as Afro hairstyles.

I’m less bothered about their issue with the Union Jack flying, we are in the U.K. and it’s the national flag 🤷‍♀️ But the school have backed down on all points so happy Days.

There appears to be a real issue at that school, all the long standing senior leadership team have left, I read the whole geography dept have resigned and now the staff have inputted a vote of no confidence against the head. If I was a parent I’d be worried. Sounds like the staff have a massive issue with the head/academy.