Reply to Why is redshirting so rare if it's so advantageous?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I would never suggest redshirting being wrong for a child who physically or mentally needs the extra time. If that is your child, then ignore below because it does not apply to you.

But in general, for people who redshirt to give their kids a “leg up,” I think it is just another example of how a group of well-off, predominantly white people are able to exert their privilege to hoard opportunity for their children. For families who are middle class or poor, paying for another year of daycare is just not possible. Their kids must go as soon as possible. More than likely, children from well off families would be academically ahead of those children regardless of whether they were redshirted or not. Privilege in the early years will have already impacted their development. And so adding one more year for privileged children, who already have every advantage in the world, will just make the gap wider.

At some point it just feels like people need to stop taking advantage of the system to give their children these “little legs up.” And for me at least, redshirting feels like an example of taking things too far. I am sure, for many other people, redshirting isn’t the line too far- but something else might be. Or, for some, the line is probably long before redshirting takes place. I get that. My kids have a ton of privilege and I am not voluntarily giving up much of it. But for whatever reason, to me, redshirting is where I say “enough.” It is my breaking point. [/quote]

Well everyone will make the decision for their own children, as you have.

[/quote]

I agree with PP. Unless your kid has some sort of challenging situation where holding back is merited, redshirting goes beyond trying to maximize your kids' chances/opportunities on a level playing field... it's just straight up trying to tilt the playing field to your kids' advantage.[/quote]

There is no consensus on this. There are actually posters here arguing the opposite that it’s harmful to redshirt. If nobody can say for sure one way or the other [b]why is this such a hot button issue?[/b][/quote]

Because parents worry desperately over whether they're doing the right thing. A lot of people deal with that anxiety by pretending certainty when they've made a decision. The reality is that it's hard to know. Life is filled with uncertainty and a lot of things you can't control -- particularly when it comes to your kids. In all likelihood, if you stay engaged with your kids, raise them with love and respect, and keep your expectations flexible -- things will probably turn out o.k. [/quote]

I meant it as a hot button issue that parents debate in places like this. I have 2 kids who started on time and 1 I redshirted and the vitriol directed at parents who make different choices is weird. Why do other parents care so much if some parents redshirt when it's not even clear it gives an advantage?[/quote]

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