Why is it considered okay to go in for private-school-bashing?

[nellyraggbagg]

I met a friend today, who launched into a full-scale rant against 'shiny private school children'. As my DS is one of these 'shiny private school children', I thought it rather offensive. We are not fabulously wealthy; we don't have a 4WD or designer clothes; we can't afford to go on holiday anywhere, never mind abroad; we have shelved all plans to move house so that we can afford school fees. Why, oh why do people think it's acceptable to be rude to someone because of their school choice? I'd never dream of talking about her 'illiterate, chavvy, hoody state school children'!!

haven't read the whole thread but feel moved to say those of you who talk about jealousy are so wrong. I am ideologically, politically, coherently, logically opposed to private education. I am also incredibly happy, passionate, even smug (though smug generally reserved for those who go private) about my choices and the opportunities my state educated kids will have. end of. not one bit of jealousy. not a smidgeon of doubt. I am lucky to have choices - excellent state school; could afford private if I wanted; and faith in mine, dh's and dds' abilities. I appreciate I am lucky - which is why I tend not to impose my political views on others. but jealousy so doesn't feature. If anything I pity an awful lot of people who go private.

ha ha ha hahahahahahaha

hatwoman you were doing v well until you got to the bit about pitying people who go private

the lady doth protest too much.

she is clearly Lord Adonis' right hand woman.
or Ruth Kelly. Whoops, nope, can't be her, she goes private

good grief do you really not know??
because privilege is always fair game.

e.g. why do people mock the rich and privileged. hmmm, I wonder it's a terrible conundrum.

I do rather pity those using private education. I mean, how sad they think their children are not bright enough to thrive in the state sector

Brains?

Stamina?

Shineyness?

concentration.
though I have certainly never been described as "shiny" and tbh I am not sure it falls into the category of "offensive".
If she had said those arrogant little public school wankers, then I would get your point.
but shiny . as opposed to what? matt? slightly streaky? in need of a good scrub with the cilit bang?

As opposed to dull, of course.

"Timmy and Jocasta have a lovely uniform and don't have to mix with the oiks. Give yourself a shiny!"

Hatwoman, YOU may not be jealous and hats off to you for that, but the tone of the "shiny" quote from the OP undoubtably smacked of jealousy.

DD(4) has recently been accused of being precious and various other shiny type epithets by another psychopathic mother acquaintance of mine when she was carefully told about a bullying incident between her daughter and mine (also 4).

What it turned out to REALLY be about was that she was incensed that my DD was going to a private school and hers wasn't. She ranted on about nothing being wrong with the state system but was actually already having her 2 eldest daughters hot-housed by private tutors in order to get them a scholarship to a private school.

Jealous? Well yes obviously. Quite why it is any of her business I have no idea. I set up an investment account when I was 26 (way before I met DP and had children) for the sole purpose of paying for education while my peers were drinking, buying smart clothes and going on holiday with their money. I planned ahead and saved. I'm not living off a trust fund ffs.

[Takes pair of compasses out and jabs it in the direction of anybody criticising this choice]

Anyway. Apparently she's keeping her daughter away from mine because my DD is precious because she will be going to private school and this causes her DD to bully mine.

Right you are then.

Minty: it's not only journalists who can use semi-colons. It is obviously the effect of my private education.

Arfishy: I am full of admiration. I can only hope that I would have been so sensible if I had had a job when I was 26! Good luck to you and your DD.

State school Vs Private school is a perenial debate, frankly i do not care what another adult does with their own cash or how they chose to educate their child (should they be fortunate enough to afford private schooling). personal and private decision imo

I see you don't deny it though nelly. We shall all be scouring the pages of the daily mail and then you shall be outed (well, some of us will. I certainly won't)

My mum reads the Daily Mail. She'd be ever so excited if I were ever in it!!

actually I don't read the shiny statement as jealous
I read it as sneering and mocking in a slightly superior fashion.
but I may just be projecting

Nellyraggbagg - Some people do not know the difference between a colon and a semi-colon; I suspect they have been educated on the cheap.

Has anybody ever criticised their friends for having hoodie-clad, dope-smoking, frightening and spiteful children. I guess NEVER. That is perfectly acceptable. I saw my niece (who goes to a senior school in Uxbridge) bragging about being banned from a fish & chips shop near her school. She was taking the piss out of her younger brother for his love of reading. She said that her brother was 'the most pathetic and uncool person who loved books!') She herself loved reading till she started the senior school after failing Grammar school exams. I have seen a state school destroying a perfectly lovely, loving and sensible child with my own eyes. Within a year she has gone totally out of control and thinks every positive thing is 'uncool'.

I haven't had time to read the whole thread, unfortunately.

'Shiny' misses the point totally. Although we mainly had to use private sector because all local state schools 'faith' (wanted a more diverse mix!), it turns out there is an added bonus of DD regularly emerging in filthy games kit and a layer of mud.
Much less shiny than the CofE kids.

I respect people who have political and ideological objections to private school. My father was one of them.
But for me my comprehensive education left me beaten up most break times and desperately hiding any ability because the suck up swot fuckers got beaten up the most. My DH on the other hand had an independent education and loved his school and loved what he learnt there.
I know these experiences only relate to those two schools but we all draw on our life experiences when we make our choices
We look at all the available options and make the best decisions we can for our kids. Our kids incidently are nice - all three of them. And whilst the debate interests me I wish people would keep it to the parents choice being the issue. Because people who stereotype children and think that it is ok to call a child they don't know a "wanker" leave me pretty cold.
If someone thinks I am a wanker for sending two of my kids to independent schools that is fair enough. But to call my kids wankers because of my choices seems pretty scummy frankly.

Having only read the OP, not the responses, I would say people are prejudiced about all kinds of things - for instance you do it yourself, implying that it WOULD be OK to rant about 4wds or people who wear designer clothes.

What the fuck is a "shiny child" anyway? Does he use Timotei? Daft bint