Not sure that most teens have enough world experience to understand the full ramifications of something like this, never mind the maturity to single themselves out. The implications are a lot more clear to older women who have dealt with sexism in the workplace. Since this is a school, it is surprising that the adult supervisors seem oblivious (and from the thread it appears parents don't mind forking over many $$$ for the privilege of having this as a part of their kids' lives). And the test isn't whether Sidwell continues to attract large numbers of applicants, it's what kind of adolescent development it's contributing to. This is not something that I would want either my DD or DS to consider acceptable behavior. Obviously, parents have to pick their battles, but I thought this battle had been fought. Not down here in the South though, I guess.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

Or, better yet, if your child is bothered by this feature, encourage him/her to advocate for ending it. This is a student newspaper and students should determine the content as much as possible.

True but kids don't want to be the one pointed out that complained about this particular feature. Being ostracized in school is a teen nightmare. However, a student who stands up for what he thinks is right (or wrong) is a courageous teen indeed.

What kids also don't want is to have mommy or daddy fight their battles for them. Learning to speak up without setting yourself up to be ostracized is a good skill to develop in the teen years. First off, don't go it alone -- look for allies. Second, figure out who among the editorial staff would be most sympathetic to your case. Third, don't accuse anyone of creating a "hostile environment" where that's not the intent. Sidwell is a place where kids respect one another for being honest and true to their beliefs -- as long as they don't get up on a soapbox to do it.

These are excellent points coming from the perspective of an adult. The virtues you espouse don't always come in teen years (more so in college IMHO). And who would encourage teens to follow your examples? Adults?

It would be interesting to see if any teen has already approached the editorial staff.

An important part of parenting teens is to coach them toward independence, which doesn't just "come", but which can be cultivated and encouraged. So, if your child expresses dismay over an article in the school newspaper, instead of rushing in to fix it for him/her, try brainstorming together to come up with ideas for how your kid can handle this. Toward this end, you might say, "well, have you talked with any of your friends about this? Do you know anybody else who feels this way? Maybe a couple of you could talk to one of the editors about it? What do you think you could say that wouldn't put him/her on the defensive, but would get your point across? etc., etc." This is how you help your teen learn to help him/herself.

Anonymous wrote:You know, this kind of article would have upset me with my first child. After living through two high schoolers and now doing it a third time, I realize this just isn't a big deal. Funny how being a parent changes you.

So true!!!

I would like to hear feedback from the Sidwell teens so if you are an US parent, discuss with your teen and report back. A couple of Sidwell parents don't care for the feature. Have they discussed this with ther teen(s)?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

Or, better yet, if your child is bothered by this feature, encourage him/her to advocate for ending it. This is a student newspaper and students should determine the content as much as possible.

True but kids don't want to be the one pointed out that complained about this particular feature. Being ostracized in school is a teen nightmare. However, a student who stands up for what he thinks is right (or wrong) is a courageous teen indeed.

What kids also don't want is to have mommy or daddy fight their battles for them. Learning to speak up without setting yourself up to be ostracized is a good skill to develop in the teen years. First off, don't go it alone -- look for allies. Second, figure out who among the editorial staff would be most sympathetic to your case. Third, don't accuse anyone of creating a "hostile environment" where that's not the intent. Sidwell is a place where kids respect one another for being honest and true to their beliefs -- as long as they don't get up on a soapbox to do it.

These are excellent points coming from the perspective of an adult. The virtues you espouse don't always come in teen years (more so in college IMHO). And who would encourage teens to follow your examples? Adults?

It would be interesting to see if any teen has already approached the editorial staff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

Or, better yet, if your child is bothered by this feature, encourage him/her to advocate for ending it. This is a student newspaper and students should determine the content as much as possible.

True but kids don't want to be the one pointed out that complained about this particular feature. Being ostracized in school is a teen nightmare. However, a student who stands up for what he thinks is right (or wrong) is a courageous teen indeed.

What kids also don't want is to have mommy or daddy fight their battles for them. Learning to speak up without setting yourself up to be ostracized is a good skill to develop in the teen years. First off, don't go it alone -- look for allies. Second, figure out who among the editorial staff would be most sympathetic to your case. Third, don't accuse anyone of creating a "hostile environment" where that's not the intent. Sidwell is a place where kids respect one another for being honest and true to their beliefs -- as long as they don't get up on a soapbox to do it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

Or, better yet, if your child is bothered by this feature, encourage him/her to advocate for ending it. This is a student newspaper and students should determine the content as much as possible.

True but kids don't want to be the one pointed out that complained about this particular feature. Being ostracized in school is a teen nightmare. However, a student who stands up for what he thinks is right (or wrong) is a courageous teen indeed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

Or, better yet, if your child is bothered by this feature, encourage him/her to advocate for ending it. This is a student newspaper and students should determine the content as much as possible.

Anonymous wrote:You know, this kind of article would have upset me with my first child. After living through two high schoolers and now doing it a third time, I realize this just isn't a big deal. Funny how being a parent changes you.

Agree -- parenting teens teaches you to pick your battles and not catastrophize everything -- a sense of humor is helpful in this regard.

Anonymous wrote:I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

Then put it in writing and request a meeting with interested parents, the school editors, US principal, etc, in attendance to discuss it. But having a bunch of people who have no connection to the school ramble on and on about the feature accomplishes nothing.

Bluntly? Put up or shut up.

I also am a current Sidwell parent who would be happy to see the feature go. I know others agree with me.

You know, this kind of article would have upset me with my first child. After living through two high schoolers and now doing it a third time, I realize this just isn't a big deal. Funny how being a parent changes you.

I've seen non-Sidwell people post threads about every negative thing you can possibly imagine. Yet, the school is still there, annual waiting list of people waiting to get in (and when they don't, vilify the school), continues to send kids to good colleges. These kids are no different than any other high school kids. Good grief! They're teenagers!!

If you don't like the school, then don't attend, don't apply, and leave if it doesn't work for you. Sidwell is not the only game in town.

Anonymous wrote:Some people are spending far too much time worrying about a newspaper feature they've never seen, at a high school their children don't attend.

+one trillion!!!

YES. but its an official school newspaper. nothing wrong with comments like that-- but sanctioned by the school??
GROSS.