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Would you object to Jade Goody being a parent at your school?

233 replies

MummyPenguin · 16/07/2007 16:37

I just read this in The Sun, and it really annoyed me! Parents at posh Oaklands school in Loughton, Essex have strongly objected to Jade being offered a place in Reception for her Son Bobby, 4.

I know Jade isn't everyone's favourite person, but how dare they? Apparently, one Mum has objected so strongly that she's threatened to take her child out. Bye then. That would be my reaction, and I asssume Jade would have a similar one. Other parents are planning a petition. WTF? Bobby is only 4, and shouldn't be subjected to such hostility. What sort of example are they setting their children? No doubt the children will be encouraged not to associate with Bobby, and the poor little chap might be outcasted.

I really hate this sort of snobbery. In every school, even so called 'posh' ones, there's children and parents that you don't mix with for reasons best known to yourself. This just struck me as ridiculous though. If Jade can afford the fees, (which she obviously can) good luck to her.

I don't know if there's already a thread about this btw.

OP posts:
Kathyis6incheshigh · 17/07/2007 22:56

Motherfunk - I think there are probably a lot of people who say to themselves, 'I'm not racist because I don't think there's anything wrong with black people, I just think they should just stay in their own country.'

Jammy - no but there are probably people who think 'I won't send my children to that school because there are too many foreigners in it.'

UCM · 17/07/2007 22:56

I would be worried about the amount of time Ms Goody spends on her career telling everyone how sorry she is for being a racist. What a pratt. Her celebrity persona, if it was every real, has finished. Thank Christ.

UCM · 17/07/2007 22:57

ever.

UCM · 17/07/2007 22:58

and celebrity............argggggggggggh why the fuck am I posting on things that actually mean nothing to me.

MotherFunk · 17/07/2007 23:01

Message withdrawn

Kathyis6incheshigh · 17/07/2007 23:03

"I just think that if we cant teach our children the lesson of forgiving (Jade has made many, formal, public apologies) then we might as well teach them to be racist. "

Yes, I agree. Good post.

StarryStarryNight · 17/07/2007 23:12

Ok, so we "know" Jade Goody is not a good role model, as she is a minor celebrity and her life is on show.

BUT, what do we know about the other parents with children in private school, or any school for that matter? We might find that they are a pretty undesireable bunch after all even if they are not in glossy magazine and make silly comments?

It just occured to me as somebody I know was shocked to see that 25% of parents at her childs schools parents party got undressed and jumped naked in the pool and were keen to swing. Prior to this I had thought I would move my son to this school if only I could afford. Now I most certainly will not, as I do not want to mingle with these parents.

madamez · 17/07/2007 23:17

Since when does holding opinions, however unpopular, put a person outside of mainstream society? Those of you who insist that the children of a "BNP" activist should be excluded from schools your children attend, do you really think you have the right to demand information on how other people vote, or what political parties they sympathise with? And single ouyt their children for persecution if you don't like the answers? If children bully one another, on whatever grounds, it's up to the school to enforce its anti-bullying policy; if parents are abusive to other parents, or teachers, or children on school premises then the school needs to deal with the abusive behaviour. But condeming people's children for opinions you assume people hold is pretty scary stuff.

Quattrocento · 17/07/2007 23:29

Madamez

I am not talking about mainstream society. It is not about excluding Jade Goody from mainstream society at all.

It is about choosing who I mix with and who my DCs mix with. I don't want to watch Bernard Manning and I don't ever want to have anything to do with Jade Goody.

S'that okay?

MotherFunk · 17/07/2007 23:36

Message withdrawn

madamez · 17/07/2007 23:37

Quattro: do you really think that you are entitled to interfere in your children's friendships because you dislike the political views of the friends' parents? This will, of course, work fine with primary-age kids, who don't have much say in who they spend time with, but if you have the same mindset when your kids are teenagers you're going to have a fun time, aren't you.

Quattrocento · 17/07/2007 23:41

What will you do if your DC's are at school, and you hear a parent make a racist remark in the playground?

Has never happened. Will never happen. Do not go to the sort of school where that sort of thing happens. THANK GOD. Does it happen at your school? Oh my lord.

What would I do in that entirely hypothetical situation? After I had gone nuclear (inevitable). I have no clue.

Forgiveness? I have no understanding what that means in this context. Is it a little trespass? Would I think to myself - well she's said three hail marys and four our fathers so she's totally cleansed of being an ignorant bigot now ...

Erm, how likely is that?

Reallytired · 17/07/2007 23:47

Surely its about full blown old fashioned snobbery. The parents are paying thousands and they don't want their kids mixing with undesirables.

The parents who sign the petition might not be racist, but they are truely hideous people nevertheless.

UCM · 17/07/2007 23:47

Why do certain people buy magazines with this shite in.

Tonight, ITV, was dominated by a programme with Victoria Beckham on it. Why? Who watches this crap. OK I did, but only so I could come on here and bitch afterwards. There are programmes on which feature 'Jordan' or whatever she calls herself now.

And I didn't watch all of it as I phoned my mate to tell her it was shite, then heard her arguments and had to watch the rest of it.

Tortington · 17/07/2007 23:48

you cannot censor your childrens friends - that is wrong - if you have given your child a sound moral upbrionging the chances are that other people racist bigoted and other offensive comments will not be taken o board.

MY DD makes me so proud to openly 'discuss' with teachers the concept that it isn't christianity that makes a person a good person there are good people whatever religeon.

she has got this from me.

and shes is correcting the teachers in RE. becuase of my parenting.

Your parenting is key. in the end they will chose friends with the same outlook as them. but to censor friends is very rubbish

MotherFunk · 17/07/2007 23:48

Message withdrawn

UCM · 17/07/2007 23:48

What I was going to add, that if a parent knew about Jade Goody at this school, they are probably not as 'middle class' as they make out. They must read shite publications.

madamez · 17/07/2007 23:49

Quattro: when you say "gone nuclear" are you really saying that you would, for instance, physically assault someone for making a remark? Because I do rather think that you might need to get things in proportion a little. Bigotry and stupidity are not great, but reaching for your pitchfork every time you think you hear something that isn't quite in tune with your views is not the way towards a more tolerant and diversity-accepting world.
FWIW if an individual made a racist comment or expressed a racist opinion to me I would disagree with them and correct them on their facts if necessary. If an individual made an abusive remark to me (or to my DS) I might report the remark but I'd be more likely to come back with a better insult. If I or my DS or anyone I knew were to be the subject of assault, harassment, criminal damage or slander, be it racist, sexist or sectarian I would involve the police when necessary.

Quattrocento · 17/07/2007 23:55

MadameZ: do you really think that you are entitled to interfere in your children's friendships because you dislike the political views of the friends' parents?

Yes. They are young. 9 and 7 to be precise. I do not want them going to houses where they take drugs, watch porn and allow the children to do the same, are total wasters, steal, are unkind to animals, vote BNP or are racists.

When they are older, I hope they will make their long term choices wisely. I am sure they will have dangerous friends and dabble in drugs and all the rest of it. I did. But their long term choices I hope (for them) will be wise. How do I help to make informed and wise lifestyle choices if I am not directional?

You just can't be laissez faire with toddlers. You put a fireguard in front of the fire.

Tortington · 17/07/2007 23:56

again i say - if you are confident in your own parenting you should have no need to censor

MotherFunk · 17/07/2007 23:59

Message withdrawn

Reallytired · 17/07/2007 23:59

What evidence do you have that Ms Goody takes drugs or watches porn. Even if she did I expect her son probably has a nanny who is fairly sensible.

I think that Ms Goody puts on an act and is not as stupid as she/ the media makes her out to be. Otherwise she would not have earned enough money to send her son to private school.

Tortington · 18/07/2007 00:01

presumably you wouldnt let your child int he house of someone you haven't gotten to know - even slightly in person anyway.

MotherFunk · 18/07/2007 00:01

Message withdrawn

Quattrocento · 18/07/2007 00:02

I have never physically assaulted anyone in my life. Oh I did throw a book at someone who made a racist remark. It was the heaviest book I could find on my desk but that is the extent of my violence.

No I believe the pen is mightier than the sword. So I would react extraordinarily strongly to an exhibition of racist behaviour in my childrens school. But not physically.

My children are not exposed to that sort of behaviour although I have explained to them that it exists ...