“Stuff Some Adults Don’t Want You to Read” at Langley

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is yet another way that schools are making it an us (parents) versus them (adults in schools) mentality. Perpetuating the notion our kids, while at school, are independent and unaccountable to their parents is troubling. Or, at the worst indefensible, when "teaching" that their parents are morally wrong or "bad" because parents beliefs are counter to what is being normalized at school. I do not want to dictate what schools teach my kids, I just want schools to reiterate to our children that parents have the biggest stake in their lives. And, no matter what, their parents and what their parents provide, encourage, and instill in kids are the biggest indicators of success - not replaceable by anything a school can, nor should, do for children. Parenting is hard enough these days without having to fight and counter what adults, who are not in any way (legally, financially, emotionally) responsible for our children, are "teaching."

https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/educations-enduring-love-affair-luxury-beliefs

This is high school. Yes, but then their minds are independent. They should be free to read what they want in a school library. Adding support for the librarian .

No, most kids in high school are minors and remain the responsibility of parents. The parents retain authority over the kids until they reach 18 or are emancipated. How the parents choose to set boundaries for their kids is beside the point. The point here is that parents have that power, and regardless of whether teachers or librarians agree or disagree with how certain parents choose to exercise their power, it's destructive to try and pit children against their parents.

Truly, you have a very misguided view about public education. You have a choice as to whether to send your kids to public school (as opposed to private or homeschool), but once you make that choice, most of your control over your child’s education ends. You do not get to dictate the math curriculum used. You do not get to dictate the subjects taught in science. You do not get to dictate what foreign languages will be available. You do not get to decide to at your child should be able to earn a standard diploma without taking any history at all. If you want that level of control, public school is not for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is yet another way that schools are making it an us (parents) versus them (adults in schools) mentality. Perpetuating the notion our kids, while at school, are independent and unaccountable to their parents is troubling. Or, at the worst indefensible, when "teaching" that their parents are morally wrong or "bad" because parents beliefs are counter to what is being normalized at school. I do not want to dictate what schools teach my kids, I just want schools to reiterate to our children that parents have the biggest stake in their lives. And, no matter what, their parents and what their parents provide, encourage, and instill in kids are the biggest indicators of success - not replaceable by anything a school can, nor should, do for children. Parenting is hard enough these days without having to fight and counter what adults, who are not in any way (legally, financially, emotionally) responsible for our children, are "teaching."

https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/educations-enduring-love-affair-luxury-beliefs

This is high school. Yes, but then their minds are independent. They should be free to read what they want in a school library. Adding support for the librarian .

No, most kids in high school are minors and remain the responsibility of parents. The parents retain authority over the kids until they reach 18 or are emancipated. How the parents choose to set boundaries for their kids is beside the point. The point here is that parents have that power, and regardless of whether teachers or librarians agree or disagree with how certain parents choose to exercise their power, it's destructive to try and pit children against their parents.

Truly, you have a very misguided view about public education. You have a choice as to whether to send your kids to public school (as opposed to private or homeschool), but once you make that choice, most of your control over your child’s education ends. You do not get to dictate the math curriculum used. You do not get to dictate the subjects taught in science. You do not get to dictate what foreign languages will be available. You do not get to decide to at your child should be able to earn a standard diploma without taking any history at all. If you want that level of control, public school is not for you.

This is demonstrably false. It's been discussed multiple times now in this thread. I'm not going to repeat myself for your benefit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is yet another way that schools are making it an us (parents) versus them (adults in schools) mentality. Perpetuating the notion our kids, while at school, are independent and unaccountable to their parents is troubling. Or, at the worst indefensible, when "teaching" that their parents are morally wrong or "bad" because parents beliefs are counter to what is being normalized at school. I do not want to dictate what schools teach my kids, I just want schools to reiterate to our children that parents have the biggest stake in their lives. And, no matter what, their parents and what their parents provide, encourage, and instill in kids are the biggest indicators of success - not replaceable by anything a school can, nor should, do for children. Parenting is hard enough these days without having to fight and counter what adults, who are not in any way (legally, financially, emotionally) responsible for our children, are "teaching."

https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/educations-enduring-love-affair-luxury-beliefs

+1000

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is yet another way that schools are making it an us (parents) versus them (adults in schools) mentality. Perpetuating the notion our kids, while at school, are independent and unaccountable to their parents is troubling. Or, at the worst indefensible, when "teaching" that their parents are morally wrong or "bad" because parents beliefs are counter to what is being normalized at school. I do not want to dictate what schools teach my kids, I just want schools to reiterate to our children that parents have the biggest stake in their lives. And, no matter what, their parents and what their parents provide, encourage, and instill in kids are the biggest indicators of success - not replaceable by anything a school can, nor should, do for children. Parenting is hard enough these days without having to fight and counter what adults, who are not in any way (legally, financially, emotionally) responsible for our children, are "teaching."

https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/educations-enduring-love-affair-luxury-beliefs

This is high school. Yes, but then their minds are independent. They should be free to read what they want in a school library. Adding support for the librarian .

No, most kids in high school are minors and remain the responsibility of parents. The parents retain authority over the kids until they reach 18 or are emancipated. How the parents choose to set boundaries for their kids is beside the point. The point here is that parents have that power, and regardless of whether teachers or librarians agree or disagree with how certain parents choose to exercise their power, it's destructive to try and pit children against their parents.

Truly, you have a very misguided view about public education. You have a choice as to whether to send your kids to public school (as opposed to private or homeschool), but once you make that choice, most of your control over your child’s education ends. You do not get to dictate the math curriculum used. You do not get to dictate the subjects taught in science. You do not get to dictate what foreign languages will be available. You do not get to decide to at your child should be able to earn a standard diploma without taking any history at all. If you want that level of control, public school is not for you.

This is demonstrably false. It's been discussed multiple times now in this thread. I'm not going to repeat myself for your benefit.

Oh really? You think you get to dictate what subject will be taught in science classes? You think you can force the school to offer courses you want you child to be taught? You think you can demand they teach Italian if that’s not in the course offerings?

[Anonymous]

Nothing in the first 26 pages of this discussion has given me reason to believe the outrage over this display is not, at its core, that certain parents do not want their kids to be exposed to ideas that might undermine messaging from their parents that being gay is wrong, blacks people are just a little bit lesser than white people, and the holocaust wasn’t really so bad. Maybe that will change in the next 26 pages, but I doubt it.

[Anonymous]

I am always amazed that parents have so little confidence in their own family's value systems that they think exposure to different ones will cause their kids to defect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is yet another way that schools are making it an us (parents) versus them (adults in schools) mentality. Perpetuating the notion our kids, while at school, are independent and unaccountable to their parents is troubling. Or, at the worst indefensible, when "teaching" that their parents are morally wrong or "bad" because parents beliefs are counter to what is being normalized at school. I do not want to dictate what schools teach my kids, I just want schools to reiterate to our children that parents have the biggest stake in their lives. And, no matter what, their parents and what their parents provide, encourage, and instill in kids are the biggest indicators of success - not replaceable by anything a school can, nor should, do for children. Parenting is hard enough these days without having to fight and counter what adults, who are not in any way (legally, financially, emotionally) responsible for our children, are "teaching."

https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/educations-enduring-love-affair-luxury-beliefs

This is high school. Yes, but then their minds are independent. They should be free to read what they want in a school library. Adding support for the librarian .

No, most kids in high school are minors and remain the responsibility of parents. The parents retain authority over the kids until they reach 18 or are emancipated. How the parents choose to set boundaries for their kids is beside the point. The point here is that parents have that power, and regardless of whether teachers or librarians agree or disagree with how certain parents choose to exercise their power, it's destructive to try and pit children against their parents.

Truly, you have a very misguided view about public education. You have a choice as to whether to send your kids to public school (as opposed to private or homeschool), but once you make that choice, most of your control over your child’s education ends. You do not get to dictate the math curriculum used. You do not get to dictate the subjects taught in science. You do not get to dictate what foreign languages will be available. You do not get to decide to at your child should be able to earn a standard diploma without taking any history at all. If you want that level of control, public school is not for you.

This is demonstrably false. It's been discussed multiple times now in this thread. I'm not going to repeat myself for your benefit.

DP. I'm curious how long you have been so invested in the details of your child's education. Has it been since they first entered the public school system or did it just occur in the past year or two? What steps have you taken--other than commenting on this board--to determine what your child can or can't be exposed to while at school? Just trying to get some context here...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am always amazed that parents have so little confidence in their own family's value systems that they think exposure to different ones will cause their kids to defect.

They are afraid their kids will finally realize that their parents are racist, anti-LGTBQ, antisemitic POSs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing in the first 26 pages of this discussion has given me reason to believe the outrage over this display is not, at its core, that certain parents do not want their kids to be exposed to ideas that might undermine messaging from their parents that being gay is wrong, blacks people are just a little bit lesser than white people, and the holocaust wasn’t really so bad. Maybe that will change in the next 26 pages, but I doubt it.

Amen. That is what is at the heart of this issue. But it is also a political tactic used by the Right--particularly the extreme right (see Josh Hawley's Parents Bill of Rights Act) to advance their agenda. It certainly worked for Youngkin. "Because activists are less interested in “parental control” of schools than in controlling parents and educators through an atmosphere of fear and distrust. There are side benefits: creating an administrative burden for educators and investing parents in the project of sifting through materials looking for “gotcha” stories that further the dangerous but energizing false narrative that public schools are secretly indoctrinating children. This is political engagement masquerading as parental engagement." (quoted from second article below)


Parents claim they have the right to shape their kids’ school curriculum. They don’t.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/parents-rights-protests-kids/2021/10/21/5cf4920a-31d4-11ec-9241-aad8e48f01ff_story.html

‘Parental rights’ activists say schools are hiding curriculum. Really?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/11/19/parental-rights-activists-say-schools-are-hiding-curriculum-really/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have found this whole thread an insightful discussion of the pros and cons of banning books in schools. Most posters have been civil and sincere (with some exceptions, of course, because this is DCUM after all). Wouldn't it be nice if our kids could have this very same discussion with their peers at school guided by an experienced adult like a librarian? Teaching critical thinking is one of the things our schools have traditionally done best. Let's not shut it down.

Not if the librarian is self-righteous enough to believe that they know better than the parents in terms of deciding what books the kids should read. Remember that parents have the ultimate sovereignty over the education of their kids. Having met certain very-basic requirements for child welfare, the parents are free to educate their kids how they see fit. Teachers and librarians must realize that this authority is the natural outcome of a free and liberal society.

Sounds like you should have your kids in private schools or homeschool them.

No, I pay my taxes, I am going to exercise the full extent of control I have over public schools.

[Anonymous]

Lol.

This is why parents with resources are increasingly pulling their kids out of government schools.

Actually not so funny for the kids stuck there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have found this whole thread an insightful discussion of the pros and cons of banning books in schools. Most posters have been civil and sincere (with some exceptions, of course, because this is DCUM after all). Wouldn't it be nice if our kids could have this very same discussion with their peers at school guided by an experienced adult like a librarian? Teaching critical thinking is one of the things our schools have traditionally done best. Let's not shut it down.

Not if the librarian is self-righteous enough to believe that they know better than the parents in terms of deciding what books the kids should read. Remember that parents have the ultimate sovereignty over the education of their kids. Having met certain very-basic requirements for child welfare, the parents are free to educate their kids how they see fit. Teachers and librarians must realize that this authority is the natural outcome of a free and liberal society.

Sounds like you should have your kids in private schools or homeschool them.

No, I pay my taxes, I am going to exercise the full extent of control I have over public schools.

WTF is wrong with you? Are you feeling inadequate in other areas of your life so you need to use excessive force with your kid's school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have found this whole thread an insightful discussion of the pros and cons of banning books in schools. Most posters have been civil and sincere (with some exceptions, of course, because this is DCUM after all). Wouldn't it be nice if our kids could have this very same discussion with their peers at school guided by an experienced adult like a librarian? Teaching critical thinking is one of the things our schools have traditionally done best. Let's not shut it down.

Not if the librarian is self-righteous enough to believe that they know better than the parents in terms of deciding what books the kids should read. Remember that parents have the ultimate sovereignty over the education of their kids. Having met certain very-basic requirements for child welfare, the parents are free to educate their kids how they see fit. Teachers and librarians must realize that this authority is the natural outcome of a free and liberal society.

Sounds like you should have your kids in private schools or homeschool them.

No, I pay my taxes, I am going to exercise the full extent of control I have over public schools.

WTF is wrong with you? Are you feeling inadequate in other areas of your life so you need to use excessive force with your kid's school?

You do you, I do me. You have your way of raising your kids, I have mine.

[Anonymous]

All that the posters complaining here are doing is validating the librarian's initial signage. Those books are "stuff" that SOME adults (NOT necessarily parents) don't want you to read.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing in the first 26 pages of this discussion has given me reason to believe the outrage over this display is not, at its core, that certain parents do not want their kids to be exposed to ideas that might undermine messaging from their parents that being gay is wrong, blacks people are just a little bit lesser than white people, and the holocaust wasn’t really so bad. Maybe that will change in the next 26 pages, but I doubt it.

The fact that I don't want public school libraries actively promoting books that contain graphic sexual acts to freshmen doesn't make me a bigot. And FWIW I think anyone who wants to ban Maus is a loon.

And before someone starts in about the internet, my child doesn't have a smartphone and doesn't have unrestricted, unmonitored access to the internet at home. My parents let me have unrestricted internet access starting in middle school when my school gave me a laptop and I've learned from their mistake.