To think the school have got this very wrong?

[anerki101]

Had an email from my child's school this week regarding the World Cup. The council have decided that they want to celebrate the World Cup so will be allowing the first game to be shown in school for every one to watch. They added that because of the human rights concerns with the host nation they would ask the kids to wear their football kits or team colours and bring in a donation for amnesty International.

AIBU to think this is wrong? If they are concerned about the human rights issues then surely boycotting the World Cup and NOT showing the game is the the best thing to do? Very happy to donate to amnesty but I still think allowing the game to be shown is a mistake.

I say this as a football fan who looks forward and watches the world Cup but won't be this time.

If you consider opposition of slavery to be sanctimonious then I suspect we won't be able to find any common ground. It is hardly a niche view.

I think this is an issue of basic decency.

I hardly think encouraging moral behaviour is "ruining my kids childhood", I think it is a basic part of parenting.

I don't think there's an easy answer, but the fact we cannot fix every problem does not mean we should give up and become complacent in abuse.

I agree with you OP. Showing the match but saying oh give a little donation and wear a certain t shirt sends the message that doing those things cancels out the human rights abuse concerns and you're free to have fun. It just sends out an awful lesson, and makes me feel like the message is a bit of slacktivism gets us out of having to worry about moral issues and just enjoy the entertainment.

Do they do this for the Women's World Cup too?

If they didn't let them watch key matches the attendance would be really low. And cause disruption. To learning

Too bloody right! We haven't forgotten this surely

I think them allowing the children to dress in team colours and watch the match is fine, though I may tell them what I thought of Amnesty International and suggest another charity. If ignored then I would send my donation to a charity of my own choice.

@Stompythedinosaur but that's my point where is the line? So watching the world cup is bad but eating at the Shard is ok? Shopping at Fortnums ok or not? should the U.K. pay climate repatriations?

I honestly think any parent who keeps their child off for a bloody football match should have ever fine available thrown at them.
Its football for christs sake. Watch it after school- it sends completely the wrong message to children that you miss school for football. Their in for a shock when they start work aren’t they!

My dd's school is only showing one match, with other activities planned for kids who aren't interested. They are also going to do some age-appropriate work with the KS2 kids about the various issues with the tournament.
It's hard for schools, especially primary as they can't exactly pretend it's not happening and neither can they really fully address all the points so I think they're just doing their best.

It is a complex question, but I think one that is possibly disingenuous in this context.

The fact that some moral choices are difficult does not mean it is ok to engage in any behaviour that you like without consideration of what is the right thing to do.

I don't think this decision is particularly complex. A lot of innocent people died in horrific conditions to build the facilities, and this was done because of the revenue potential.

This would be my main objection. The school wants to show/watch it, so it's getting the parents to buy them a free ethical pass with the donation. Not OK, and also a deeply problematic message that throwing a bit of money at something makes ethically dubious actions acceptable.

Also object to everything stopping for a football contest.

How is it disingenuous? That regime & money is all intertwined. I'm not condoning it just saying that it's virtually impossible to take a moral view. I'm not interested in football so don't care about the world cup however I do fly regularly so I don't feel I can criticise someone who wants to watch a match because I care about human rights more.

Professional football is a stupid thing. Involving children in a stupid thing is wrong.

They also need to keep up and realise that Amnesty is not longer the “go to” charity if you care about human rights/ humanity in general.

Plus i'm using an iphone

Can they only watch the match if they wear the colours and bring a donation, or is it a suggestion?

I know lots of workplaces who either broadcast the England games on the premises or let staff take a longer lunch to go and watch it in the local pub etc.

I hate the whole "bloody stupid football" mentality that inevitably starts being spouted every time there's a World Cup. It's such a rigid and old-fashioned mentality - plus it's literally once every four years. Education comes in all shapes and forms, and this can do wonders for creating a springboard to learn from while helping to foster a positive atmosphere.

Qatar should never have been given the World Cup - it's hugely problematic. But then I don't think Russia should have been given the World Cup in 2018 either. FIFA has its own issues with corruption, and that's led to a wildly unsuitable country hosting the World Cup.

I don't think boycotting a screening of the World Cup works particularly well - especially as PP said, the UK is full of Qatari money. It's impossible to draw a line. I think using it as a chance to generate discussions and engage children in learning is a better way to handle it, plus the children who want to watch will also benefit from an enjoyable activity.

Qatar should never have been given the World Cup - it's hugely problematic. But then I don't think Russia should have been given the World Cup in 2018 either.

Yep

I also think there is a class issue. Football "yobbos" are an easier target.

If it's just the England games then there is only one that takes place during the school day so what's the big deal. As long as they are explaining the issues surrounding the world cup then great but for most kids, it is just football.

I am not watching and have explained to my 7 year old why. Frankly I'm sick of all the posts saying I'm watching it as it wont make a difference. If nobody watches the match it would costs companies millions which would make them think twice before arranging these events in such a country again. Sadly most people couldn't care less about about anyone else.

There's absolutely no need for schools to be doing anything for the world Cup.
Regardless of which country hosts

Totally agree. I’d extend that to every occasion except major traditional festivals, ie Christmas, Easter and Halloween.

I think it's better than the schools that are watching without also raising money and/or awareness. But not as good as the schools that are carrying on as normal.

Heaven forbid schools teach children anything.