5 ms·

The title! It's not only about science, but anything taught in classrooms. As a parent myself, I don't want to live in a world where public education is compuls

The title! It's not only about science, but anything taught in classrooms. As a parent myself, I don't want to live in a world where public education is compulsory and I, as a parent, have nothing to say about what the public school teaches my kid. People are angry that some parents will object teaching evolution or global warming, the subjects so dear to many, hence the 'science' in the title. Let's not kid ourselves, for most people these two subjects are merely topics to discuss on the internet or over a drink. But if I'd had a girl and a teacher, man or a woman, would come to the classroom teaching her how many pills she had to take, or what things to put in her body so her boyfriend doesn't have to use a condom, than I'd object. Of course, I can teach her at home about all things relationships. And of course, it's important for teenagers to be exposed to ideas different from the one taught at home (something that US campuses seem to abhor more and more these days). But relationships are so much more than the simple mechanics of penetration. It's one thing for parents to have to fight what's taught in school, and entirely different thing when schools present alternative views and also provide best arguments for those views. The simple fact that there's creationism, global warming denials and anti-vaccine people, should not determine us to the give up the fundamental principle which moves knowledge (science included) forward. Dialogue!

moomin 9y ago
You've already got a say: it's called the ballot box. What you're asking for is bespoke, micro-managed education. Once you've given up on the idea of consensual reality, you've pretty much abandoned society. Pretending that views are "alternative" when in fact they're just wrong isn't moving knowledge along, it's holding it back. To give an extreme example: do you think American secular education should be given equal footing in Florida with a madrassa run by a Saudi-educated iman? What if that's what most of the parents in the local area want?
- icebraining 9y ago
  The idea that democracy is just showing up to vote every few years should be mocked for the travesty it is, not lauded. Not that I like this particular law (filling a complaint as if school was a fast food joint is not my view of democratic participation either).
  - moomin 9y ago
    True, but democracy isn't micromanaging teachers either.
- 3131s 9y ago
  GP is asking for non-compulsory education, which is for me also a requirement of the country that I will raise my children in. I share none of the same specific reasons for wanting that, but I will handle how my children are educated.
  - moomin 9y ago
    The US _has_ no compulsory education. It expects all children to be educated to a certain (pretty low) standard, and provides a service for achieving that. You don't have to use the service. You can send your kids to a private school, or homeschool them.* What you can't get is bespoke clothing at ready to wear prices. *(And if you want to homeschool your kids, more power to your elbow. Just don't do it like Felicia Day's parents.)
    - 3131s 9y ago
      Requirements on home schooling vary from state to state. I want no requirements and minimal potential for future requirements, it's not something I'll compromise on.
      - moomin 9y ago
        Curious as to where you'd consider moving to. Nearly everywhere has educational standards. It occurs to me that Saudi Arabia might not for foreign nationals, but that would be a heavy dose of irony.
        3131s 9y ago
        I am in Cambodia. I'm not sure about what the written law is here, but it doesn't matter so much because as with most laws they are not enforced. Although it's an impoverished country with a dictator, it feels less oppressive to live here than in the US. The people are more grounded and not so wrapped up in their outward identity. I don't get nervous being around police. I can work extremely minimally as I only live on about 400$ a month for the past 4 years. The city is zoned leniently and I live near a market, so I have 100s of food options in my immediate neighborhood. I ride a bicycle or walk everywhere. I intentionally moved close to the Olympic Stadium here, which is quite beautiful and has a track, free weights, badminton / basketball / tennis courts, olympic swimming pool and diving board, etc. Living in one of the poorer countries on earth is obviously not all roses though, even if you're a relatively wealthy expat. It's very hard seeing people I care about in my neighborhood go through so many difficult ordeals. Almost everyone you meet here, unless they're very young, will have a background of extreme hardship. Phnom Penh is more developed than you might expect though. Every other car is a Lexus and there are skyscrapers going up all over the city. Open space is lacking and the city is mostly ugly now, especially so in comparison to the stunning, pristine beauty of Phnom Penh in the 1950s and 1960s.
jopsen 9y ago
Giving all residents a standing in what your kid is taught is not about giving parents a way, it's about giving highly motivated single issue organizations a platform to mess with education. > But relationships are so much more than the simple mechanics of penetration Nobody said it wasn't. That doesn't mean schools shouldn't teach biology. Schools must teach how biology works whether it's calculating birth control or blood alcohol levels. As for the morals of alcohol use or relationships, those are things you are responsible for teaching.. That's not to say that schools can't discuss those subjects, but they are different from the biology.
jernfrost 9y ago
You have a say, since you live in a democracy and participate in elections. It can not be every parents choice what their child is taught. You want tailor made curriculum fitting the sensibilities of the parents of every child?

moomin 9y ago

You've already got a say: it's called the ballot box. What you're asking for is bespoke, micro-managed education. Once you've given up on the idea of consensual reality, you've pretty much abandoned society. Pretending that views are "alternative" when in fact they're just wrong isn't moving knowledge along, it's holding it back. To give an extreme example: do you think American secular education should be given equal footing in Florida with a madrassa run by a Saudi-educated iman? What if that's what most of the parents in the local area want?

icebraining 9y ago
The idea that democracy is just showing up to vote every few years should be mocked for the travesty it is, not lauded. Not that I like this particular law (filling a complaint as if school was a fast food joint is not my view of democratic participation either).
- moomin 9y ago
  True, but democracy isn't micromanaging teachers either.
3131s 9y ago
GP is asking for non-compulsory education, which is for me also a requirement of the country that I will raise my children in. I share none of the same specific reasons for wanting that, but I will handle how my children are educated.
- moomin 9y ago
  The US _has_ no compulsory education. It expects all children to be educated to a certain (pretty low) standard, and provides a service for achieving that. You don't have to use the service. You can send your kids to a private school, or homeschool them.* What you can't get is bespoke clothing at ready to wear prices. *(And if you want to homeschool your kids, more power to your elbow. Just don't do it like Felicia Day's parents.)
  - 3131s 9y ago
    Requirements on home schooling vary from state to state. I want no requirements and minimal potential for future requirements, it's not something I'll compromise on.
    - moomin 9y ago
      Curious as to where you'd consider moving to. Nearly everywhere has educational standards. It occurs to me that Saudi Arabia might not for foreign nationals, but that would be a heavy dose of irony.
      - 3131s 9y ago
        I am in Cambodia. I'm not sure about what the written law is here, but it doesn't matter so much because as with most laws they are not enforced. Although it's an impoverished country with a dictator, it feels less oppressive to live here than in the US. The people are more grounded and not so wrapped up in their outward identity. I don't get nervous being around police. I can work extremely minimally as I only live on about 400$ a month for the past 4 years. The city is zoned leniently and I live near a market, so I have 100s of food options in my immediate neighborhood. I ride a bicycle or walk everywhere. I intentionally moved close to the Olympic Stadium here, which is quite beautiful and has a track, free weights, badminton / basketball / tennis courts, olympic swimming pool and diving board, etc. Living in one of the poorer countries on earth is obviously not all roses though, even if you're a relatively wealthy expat. It's very hard seeing people I care about in my neighborhood go through so many difficult ordeals. Almost everyone you meet here, unless they're very young, will have a background of extreme hardship. Phnom Penh is more developed than you might expect though. Every other car is a Lexus and there are skyscrapers going up all over the city. Open space is lacking and the city is mostly ugly now, especially so in comparison to the stunning, pristine beauty of Phnom Penh in the 1950s and 1960s.

jopsen 9y ago

Giving all residents a standing in what your kid is taught is not about giving parents a way, it's about giving highly motivated single issue organizations a platform to mess with education. > But relationships are so much more than the simple mechanics of penetration Nobody said it wasn't. That doesn't mean schools shouldn't teach biology. Schools must teach how biology works whether it's calculating birth control or blood alcohol levels. As for the morals of alcohol use or relationships, those are things you are responsible for teaching.. That's not to say that schools can't discuss those subjects, but they are different from the biology.

jernfrost 9y ago

You have a say, since you live in a democracy and participate in elections. It can not be every parents choice what their child is taught. You want tailor made curriculum fitting the sensibilities of the parents of every child?