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Original poster

Would you allow teenager to go to anti restrictions protest

198 replies

Tobeirritatedhdeh · 16/09/2021 16:56

DS is 17 (just turned) and can drive and really wants to go to the protest on the 25th. Would you allow a teenager to go to an anti plan B protest?

OP posts:
user1477391263 · 17/09/2021 01:31

I don't think the UK has that many restrictions at the moment, to be honest? Life seems fairly normal compared to most other countries.
As long as the adults in the household have had their shots, I'd let him go (while privately thinking it was all a bit silly).

JuneOsborne · 17/09/2021 01:40

Erm, I'm not sure how you'd stop them! Block the front door? Hide his keys? Hang on to his ankles, wailing?

There's a difference in not agreeing with why he wants to go and him being able to participate in a legal protest.

I've always encouraged protesting for the things you believe in. The right to protest is an important one and apathy is the enemy of liberty.

So yeah, I'd let him go. He'd know I didn't agree, because if I did, I'd probably be right there with him! But the fact I didn't agree with his cause wouldn't stop me supporting his right to protest.

IncredulousOne · 17/09/2021 04:39

At 17 years old, aren't they Gillick competent enough to decide for themselves?

Idyllic · 17/09/2021 06:34

Yes I would let them go. Good that they're aware of these issues. The anti restriction protests are normally on YT but funnily enough hardly ever covered on mainstream news.

Backofbeyond50 · 17/09/2021 07:10

I would advise against but ultimately it is their decision.

whatswithtodaytoday · 17/09/2021 07:14

I would be extremely disappointed in them and would be trying to convince them otherwise.

No problem with non-violent protests at all, I've been to quite a few myself. But the selfishness of anti-restrictions protesters makes me furious. What exactly do people expect will happen when the NHS is overwhelmed?

whatswithtodaytoday · 17/09/2021 07:15

@Idyllic

Yes I would let them go. Good that they're aware of these issues. The anti restriction protests are normally on YT but funnily enough hardly ever covered on mainstream news.
Protests are very rarely shown on TV news, especially while they're still going on.
Bananarice · 17/09/2021 07:16

I would allow from the age 15 depending on the level of maturity. And I would tell him to use public transport.

Peteycat · 17/09/2021 07:17

@EmeraldShamrock

"
I'd worry if the protest got violent, it is his choice but he'd be sleeping in his car for a fortnight."

Why would you do that to a 17 year old?

DumplingsAndStew · 17/09/2021 07:22

@IncredulousOne

At 17 years old, aren't they Gillick competent enough to decide for themselves?
😂

Now I'm even more concerned as to what's going on at these events

IncredulousOne · 17/09/2021 07:38

Well, if they're potentially sufficiently competent to override parental wishes and weigh up the nuances and uncertainties of whether or not to have the Pfizer vaccine at age 12, then presumably at age 17 they're competent to decide whether it not they can attend a protest? 🤔

mrshoho · 17/09/2021 07:39

What is it about this Plan B that he feels so strongly about? Is it the possibility of masks being mandated in indoor areas? Is it the wfh if you can suggestion? Or the use of covid passports in certain venues? If he feels strongly enough to want to protest then you can't really stop him. Is he in education? You could talk to him about how these measures would be taken to try and avoid disruption to his education. I don't understand why we haven't got these measures in effect now tbh as by the time 'plan B' gets put in place we'll probably be in the shit of it.

KittenKong · 17/09/2021 07:42

What protest, where? God not another one...

DumplingsAndStew · 17/09/2021 07:46

@IncredulousOne

Well, if they're potentially sufficiently competent to override parental wishes and weigh up the nuances and uncertainties of whether or not to have the Pfizer vaccine at age 12, then presumably at age 17 they're competent to decide whether it not they can attend a protest? 🤔
Do you know what Gillick competency means?
DumplingsAndStew · 17/09/2021 07:47

@KittenKong

What protest, where? God not another one...
They are protesting against this really oppressive lockdown we're in almost weekly. Us 4 Them Scotland regularly post footage of protests that have at least 12-15 people in attendance at each one.
Taswama · 17/09/2021 07:50

Yes, just like my mum didn't stop me going to Pride when I was 17 (long before it became trendy). The right to protest / demonstrate is a fundamental human right.

KittenKong · 17/09/2021 07:51

I can’t be doing with another one in London the the 25th...

CarrieBlue · 17/09/2021 07:52

I’d be ashamed I’d done such a poor job raising them.

KittenKong · 17/09/2021 07:53

Why?

Peteycat · 17/09/2021 07:54

@DumplingsAndStew

"
KittenKong

What protest, where? God not another one...

They are protesting against this really oppressive lockdown we're in almost weekly. Us 4 Them Scotland regularly post footage of protests that have at least 12-15 people in attendance at each one."

Not true, thousands all over Europe attend.

Peteycat · 17/09/2021 07:56

"07:52CarrieBlue

I’d be ashamed I’d done such a poor job raising them."

Oh no I wouldn't, I would be proud I raised an individual who thinks of others and human rights.

I would also be proud that at his young age he felt so passionate about affairs.

KittenKong · 17/09/2021 07:56

But where is the one on the 25th? I’ve looked online and can’t see it. I’m just panicking because if it’s in London (I know, very capital centric of me) it’s going to make it bloody hard for me on that day.

Egghead68 · 17/09/2021 07:57

Don’t see how you can stop them going.

I would be worried about how they had managed to acquire these views though. I would hope I had brought them up to me more rational and to care about the well-being of others.

Covidworries · 17/09/2021 07:59

@Peteycat
Thinks about others apart from NHS staff, CEV children and adults, anyone who may need NHS care for any reason when hospitals are at capacity and unable to treat all needing care from accidents or illness.

DumplingsAndStew · 17/09/2021 08:01

@Peteycat

Not true, thousands all over Europe attend.

To every protest U4T Scotland post on their page? Okay mate, you know best. 👍

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