School debate about fertile women being employed

[reallyconfusedmostofthetime]

My child's tutor (YR8) started a class debate about whether women of child bearing age should be employed. Is it unreasonable to think this is sexist and ridiculous?

Playing Devil's Advocate here but this might actually show the kids the sexism in this topic. It might be a really worthwhile debate.

You know debates usually have a controversial starter?

I'm with dirtyduchess here. It's exactly the sort of thing we were given to debate because we were learning how debate works and so on.

Agreed

Absolutely not unreasonable! I’d be making a complaint to the school- what kind of message is that?

This is exactly the sort of thing. That provokes brilliant discussion in schools and is the sort of thing I would include as a tutor.

It’s not a ‘message’, it’s topic for debate. I think it’s really interesting and will get the kids thinking.

It's just to get them engaged in a debate. Looks bad out of context though.

I understand the intention behind picking a controversial topic but personally I think this goes too far. The answer should be a complete no brainer and starting a debate on it gives the impression that it’s not and that there really are reasonable arguments against women working.

I think it's a great debate topic. Highlights how women can add to society while having children and working. Discussions around pong game of decent maternity leave/childcare and staff retention

I disagree , women continuously have to fight for equality and still haven't achieved it . Discussions about women's right to work where presumably justification for losing that right would be discussed should not be happening in a school setting.

Great topic - the whole point of learning to debate is to be able to argue something you don’t believe in clearly and logically. Much harder when you are arguing for the “wrong” side. Excellent skill to learn.

Actual adults here not understanding debate and wanting to complain.

It's good because even the 'pros' are cons.

Not a great debate topic because its not nuanced. Also not a great topic of debate for Year 8. Was this related to to subject or more random?

It's not the message, it's the discussion.

Of course it's not unreasonable to think it's sexist, it's obviously sexist... and therein lies the lesson. Great way to get kids thinking.

My son teaches debate for the World Scholarship Cup. His topics are things like,
Do you think AI will be good for our future?
Should children be able to wear what they like to school?
What crime would you commit once, if it was guaranteed to stop that crime forever?
All designed for children to use their critical thinking.

Or women could be seen as a cost to business - loss of hours, maternity pay, time off for child rearing, less competent due to home life.

In the grand scheme of things it probably has no major impact but it may influence these children and how they perceive women.

I don’t employ women under a certain age I’d never ever admit it though except anonymously here. As a small business owner it’s just easier

There’s no point saying ‘no debate’ on something that plays out in women’s working lives. It shouldn’t, but it does. I heard examples of this twice this month. Both relating to employing female teachers.
it needs taught about and a skilfully led debate is a powerful way to do that. It should provoke strong feelings that might stay with future generations of employers…

It’s to teach them how debate works

But I know what you mean - women’s choices and bodies are so often subject to public scrutiny, it would be nice to share the love

I’d ask the school to vary it so the alternate between debating about women and men’s lives

I think it's a bit shit to float the value of women in the workforce as a conversation stater in a classroom full of youngsters who need to forge enough confidence to join the world of work.

Great topic for debate.

It will highlight sexism, gives the children an idea of how this arises in the workplace and how to challenge them. a great opportunity for you to discuss the nuances of this with them.

No point hiding from the everyday struggles they will inevitably face.

^ this

Yes - and actually a better discussion topic could be whether men of childbearing age should be employed. Probably more thought-provoking when it’s turned around like that and highlights that raising children isn’t all on the woman.