Scottish Family Party

[Greektome]

I've only just noticed the existence of this new political party. Does anyone have a view? I've had a quick look at what they're saying about education, and it seems sensible?

Richard Lucas is one odd character and I and many others who had the misfortune to know such a judgemental person would steer well clear of such a person.

Perhaps, but on education he does talk sense.

Went into the website and the you tube channel they link to has a 2 year old video with 2.8k views 🤣.
I haven't looked into it any further cos they're not exactly gaining traction.
Don't really like the family aspect to it either -I have a fairly traditional family m d +2c but wouldn't want to negate the fact that people choose to live in many different ways and a party which focussed in only one is not one I could support

It’s creepy. Of course it is.

Do we know who is funding it? Wee Frees? Pro-lifers?

What was it you liked about their plans for education? The not so casual sexism, the homophobia, elitism, or the idea that school staff could administer the relationship between parents and social work.

They’re pro smacking, anti abortion, anti feminist, homophobic and racist - what’s not to like 🤷‍♀️

For the reasons above, I find them particularly unpleasant.

Ditto. Absolutely disgusted. Vile

Hadn't heard of it so looked it up. It's like the Handmaid's Tale. "We reject the philosophy that regards it as desirable that men and women approach family life and careers in identical ways."

Wasn't going to read anymore after that chilling concept.

Well they sound just horrendous.

Started reading the website last night after seeing this thread.

Some highlights:

Want to repeal the smacking ban and believe parents should be able discipline their children how they see fit.

Lower cut off for abortion, and no termination for medical reasons beyond 24 weeks

Children under 16 have no right to medical privacy

Marriage between man and woman is the ultimate goal and should come above any other type of family.

Same sex couples should not be entitled to fertility treatments.

They support the gender pay gap as men work harder than women.

Schools should focus on academic pursuits, not personal development or growth.

Think that psychological abuse should be decriminalised.

That's just the bits I can remember off the top of my head.

They support the gender pay gap as men work harder than women.

Don’t forget that men are naturally suited to the world of work where women are naturally drawn to housework and childcare.

Perhaps, but on education he does talk sense.

In what way?

@Jellycatspyjamas

They support the gender pay gap as men work harder than women.

Don’t forget that men are naturally suited to the world of work where women are naturally drawn to housework and childcare.

Of course. MN is naturally full of posts from women who are delighted to do absolutely everything at home with the house and family, whilst their husbands work 60 hours a week and regularly travel for work. Full.

Trying to find what could be viewed as the "talking sense". Nope still disgusted and unable to read on when faced with the education section (in bold) "we believe that punishing children is necessary, fair, justified and effective."

Sounds like a good thing that I've never heard of them.

In my peace n love mindset I clicked on thread thinking it was a warm and fuzzy nostalgic look at the tradition and ritual of family celebrations in Scotland. Well, I got that spectacularly wrong

Ha ha, got me too lidl but in the other way... "party! party? Who the feck is having a party?" and why wasn't i invited?

This is what caught my eye:

"While an emphasis on helping those with some educational disadvantages is justified, “closing the attainment gap” between rich and poor areas is now emphasised to the exclusion of aiming to raise attainment for all. The educational system should aim for the highest possible standards for all pupils, not an artificial equality target. Excellent students, in excellent schools in prosperous areas, are to be celebrated, encouraged and replicated, not resented for causing an “attainment gap”.

Lessons in critical thinking and logic, unrelated to contemporary political and social issues, should be provided for all high school pupils. This teaching of how to think would contrast with the current emphasis on telling pupils what to think."

Our school gave parents a presentation. They showed us a picture of 3 boys. They are on one side of a wall and a football game is on the other. The tall boy can easily see over the wall and watch the game. The middle sized boy can only just see over the wall. The short boy can't see over it. 2nd picture: the shorter boys are given things to stand on. Now they can all watch the game.
That works for watching a football game. But when talking about education it means that all children are expected to achieve the same academically. Otherwise known as dumbing down.
In Scotland, some schools spend 1 year on Nat5s. Other schools spend 2 years on the same number of Nat 5s. Why are more academic children not allowed to work either more widely or in more depth? To be stretched?

Personally have never told a pupil what to think. None of my 4 DDs have been either- one now a graduate and professional with post grad. 2 currently at university and one in S6 applying to a very competitive degree. They all attended a very middle of the table state school.

Where is the evidence that excellent pupils in excellent schools in prosperous areas are not celebrated? Dunblane High School was state school of the year.

Fair play to you OP you have a stronger stomach than me to read through the bile inducing prose. What about the somewhat obsessive punishment aspect, the desire for a national qualification in "character qualities" (how do they propose to asses that?),"teaching children about their rights can lead to a demanding and selfish mindset" ?

There's plenty of stuff I disagree with, but I do worry about the current dumbing down, especially in the context of possible independence. The very small countries that are doing well seem to have very high standards of education. Eg Estonia. Scotland is going in the opposite direction, even removing itself from PISA.

That works for watching a football game. But when talking about education it means that all children are expected to achieve the same academically. Otherwise known as dumbing down.

That’s not been my experience, albeit my children are still in primary school, my nieces and nephews have done well academically and were stretched appropriately. My daughter is one who needs a lot of support to access the curriculum, the rest of her class aren’t held back because she (and others) need additional support, nor would I expect them to be.

I can't see past punishment especially the language around boys, the emphasis on a very rigid (self defined and reminiscent of the Duggars in America) set of moral values, the obsession with respect for adults (parents and teachers) and refusal to see that schools have a place in acknowledgement that families are not solely married heterosexual couples.

You started a thread asking what people thought. You have your view which I respect even if I disagree. I have mine. There are issues there that are abhorrent in 2020 - hate crime level. Which is why, thankfully as a poster said, the party does not have much traction.

Teachers will not be lining up to staff Gilead High though. But females probably wouldn't be wanted as they should be raising babies and looking after husbands.

@Lidlfix, in my youngest's class the process of canonisation for William Wallace is well underway, although I though he had already been made into a saint when my eldest did it.
Re: dumbing down, in my P7 they use a book on mental arithmetic aimed at Y3 (seen it with my own eyes on Twitter), while in the other P7 they are revising (I hope...) the concept of division using Lego bricks and pebbles (again, available for everyone to behold on Twitter).
My school was rated excellent just over a year ago.

@Jellycatspyjamas

That works for watching a football game. But when talking about education it means that all children are expected to achieve the same academically. Otherwise known as dumbing down.

That’s not been my experience, albeit my children are still in primary school, my nieces and nephews have done well academically and were stretched appropriately. My daughter is one who needs a lot of support to access the curriculum, the rest of her class aren’t held back because she (and others) need additional support, nor would I expect them to be.

Not my experience either.