If your 17 year old wanted to take a day off school to attend the student funding march on Wed would you condone it

[mrswoodentop]

What it says really,ds1 ,17 ,very politically aware wants to attend.Its a school day,independent school so I need to write to say we are authorising him to have a day off.

Dh violently against ,very angry with me for even thinking about it ,treats ds like a naughty little boy.I am more ambivelent,I am proud of him for feeling strongly (dh thinks that because he wouldn't go on his own that he just wants a day off school with his friends),I think that this issue is going to have a profound effect on his life and in a way I am quite proud of him for wanting to have a voice, also proud because he has thought carefully about the issues and wants to hear both sides and yes he wants to experience something big ,something new,to be there if you like.But and and its a big but he has to have day off school,he's not a definate oxbridge candidate ,his grades aren't perfect he can ill afford to miss a lot of school,but one day? I don't know,dh has said no and he's agreed so I suppose its over but perhaps we are doing him a diservice (sorry not sure of spelling)

Slug, that's a heartening story, especially about your students then casting their votes.

Claig, so what you really object to are 'Labour types'? And you'd be happy with a 17yo attending a Countryside Alliance march? Seems to me your view is there should be one rule for people of your political persuasion and another rule for everyone else...

Completely off topic but can't believe that having been here for about 7 years aI have finally got a thread in Discussions of the day!!

Claig he has an assisted place at independent school,I am very worried about the safetly aspect if he does go but he is 17 I can't wrap him in cotton wool forever .I don't think he can comprehend the amount of people that will be there but on the flip side he is 17 he could fight for his country

Oh, and Claig, has it occurred to you that Slug's students who were galvanised by the Iraq war may well have voted against the then government - i.e. for the current lot?

some L6 at school are planning to go, but the school have just e-mailed to say they are not sanctioning it, so it remains the be seen how many actually attend. The school's reasons seem to be: worries over their personal safety; and doubts over (some of) their political motivations.

edam, I am not happy with students taking the day off to campaign for the Countryside Alliance or for this. I think that they may be being influenced politically by politically motivated teachers. I think that many Labour types are happy to encourage pupils to take a day off school to campaign for political causes that Labour types believe in, but would not support it for other causes, such as the Countryside Alliance.

I'm not a supporter of the Countryside Alliance and I am against these ridiculous rises in tuition fees, but I am against encouraging pupils to miss school.

Well I'm going, and I'm 46. Don't tell me mum, though. She'll go MAD......

I'd let him go in a heartbeat.

The more active, politically-aware young people we have, the better.

Maybe your son can help turn the tide, as we're currently a nation that seem to be happy to sit back and take whatever crap is flung at us.

One day off school is not a big deal, and he's 17 so presumably able to weigh up the situation for himself.

Good on your son, you've clearly done a great job raising him. Now he's almost a man, don't let your DH start holding him back.

Keep a perspective on one school day versus a formative political/democractic experience he will remember for years.

Yes, he'll be a voter in a few months time, and we want an electorate who care about political issues.

He sounds a bit of a sap. Tell him to either go or don't go.

If this is what the next generation of politcal activists looks like then gawd help us.

I'll be the one with the M and S bag full of food

Defiantly! Good for him for taking a stand about his future and not like the majority who will just moan and do nothing. This is probably more important to him and his future then one day at school.

Good luck convincing DH

Good on him for actually being bothered. I work in higher ed and we had a meeting today about staffing and the outcome after the cuts hit/tuition fees rise. I admit to feeling as miserable as sin tonight.

PropertySnake - how bloody rude.

Of course he should go, it sounds great that he wants to, and I'm not sure I understand your DH's position unless your DS has a habit of missing school which he doesn't.

Can someone link me to info about this.

My DD1 will be there, but she was also on BBC news last week staging a 24hour sit in at Goldmiths in a protest about student fees.

(Very proud mummy emoticon)

You know, from the work emails I am getting, there seem to be serious numbers going from a great many universities, from what I can tell. It is all very organised, buses are laid on, and as the weather is likely to be fine, I am sure this will increase turnout even more. I am trying to guess how many people are likely to be there.

Although I agree with the protestors, direct action like this generally achieves nothing

Sadly this is true, but I am wondering whether anyone will ever listen to the younger generation or whether they will have to start poll tax style riots to get attention.

I'm going too, monkeysavingexpert, and haven't told my mum either . She'd only worry. Likewise have been thinking about the picnic aspect.

Plans for the demo/march

More info from main website