Oh come on, parents should obviously have the final say in what their kids are taught (via voting for school boards, etc.). How is this even remotely controversial?
Because kids actually should have a say. Like you don’t just all of a sudden gain sentience on your 18th birthday. Kids are people too and have should have a right to control their life to some degree.
It also works. Have you heard of democratic schools (also known as free schools)? The kids govern themselves, set rules, dictate curriculum. They have quite strong outcomes for students.
> The kids govern themselves, set rules, dictate curriculum. They have quite strong outcomes for students.
What a privileged childhood you must've had to think that this is a viable schooling system for anyone but upper-middle-class hippie rich kids. You do realize middle schoolers are routinely recruited into gangs in rough cities like Chicago, right?
> You do realize middle schoolers are routinely recruited into gangs in rough cities like Chicago
So, are you saying that there's some inherent difference between rich kids and inner city kids? Like, beyond their circumstances? Because if rich hippie kids can govern themselves, and inner city kids can't, that is either because rich kids are just better - or that poor kids have shitty circumstances that take that ability away from them. If you believe the former, we can't go any further because you're just racist or classist or both. If you believe the latter, then clearly kids deserve a say in their circumstances wherever they have that ability - and where they don't, something else needs to change first.
> If you believe the former, we can't go any further because you're just racist or classist or both
It looks like empty pseudo-accusations of racism finally made it to HN, all nicely disguised as a false dilemma (either you're a racist or you agree with me; very classy). This is where I bid you adieu.
I guess that came off pretty bluntly. I was saying we can dismiss this side of the argument, since it's blatantly classist/racist. I don't assume that you or any reasonable person would believe that line of thinking.
But since we're on the subject of taking the high road, I will say that you did, moments earlier, accuse me of being privileged to the point of being out of touch. If you want good and civil discourse, maybe ease up on the personal attacks yourself? Thanks
