Defeated
Yesterday, I made a very mixed decision of enrolling my two sons in a katholic school. I hope this will be a good school for them and I really think it will be.
But today, I can't shake this feeling of defeat. It's his 4th school and he's only 5, we always kept the catholic schools from the list of options because I strongly feel that religion in schools violates our freedom of religion. But too many things went wrong in these public schools and there were several racist incidents which weren't dealt with in any meaningful way.
So, we caved and enrolled him in a school were several of our friends have their children with ethnic backgrounds and they are doing good there.
So, monday, it starts again. I have good hopes but the feeling of defeat will remain I guess.
Comments
10 comments postedWhat about a system like Waldorf? Those are very inclusive of diversity, and it is a system that encourages children to be very well-rounded and thoughtful.
Ugh, that sucks. I'm sorry to hear that you're having to go to those lengths to get your kid out of an unhealthy situation. But I think you're doing the right thing. (If that's any consolation)
I've noticed that religious groups tend to be more ethnically mixed than non-religious groups. I won't guess as to why that is, but it's certainly a good thing. As an atheist, I wonder if there's some way we could foster that level of mixing in civil society.
Don't take it so badly. You are obviously a parent who cares about raising your kid, and cares about their education, or you wouldn't even be agonizing over the decision. I can tell you from experience that you already have the #1 predictor of your kid's success right there. Also, your kid is not likely to catch a world view you disapprove of, even at Catholic school, if you are a stronger influence in their life (and if you're involved with them, you will be).
As for the school/religion thing, may I offer a different way of looking at it? Of these two statements:
"Religion in Schools violates our freedom of religion"
"Religion being a mandatory part of a school that the Government requires my child to attend, and/or is paid for with my tax money, violates our freedom of religion"
I would make the claim that the first is false and the second is true. I'd also say that if a tax-funded public school were our ONLY option, that would also violate our freedom of religion whether or not they have any religious content there, either optional or mandatory. Even if you aren't required to go there, if your local public school were pushing one religion or requiring even a comparative religion class to graduate, I'd also fight that, even if my kid didn't go there (since it's being paid for with tax money).
I congratulate you on both your concern for your kid's education, and on your willingness to see enough benefit in something to which you have a philosophical opposition that you still chose it because you still felt it was the best option for your kids, after taking everything into account.
So, to solve your issue with how racism was handled at your previous school, you go to a fairly monolithic catholic school. Certainly theologically monolithic, and I'm guessing largely racially monolithic as well. That move sounds racist to me... eliminate all other diversities around your child.
Please read my response here: http://nocturn.vsbnet.be/content/misconception
My oldest son is on the receiving end of the racism, I'm not eliminating diversity arround him, I'm trying to find an environment where his diverse background won't be holding him back.
And you guessed wrong, this school actually has a realistic mix in diversity which the first 2 hadn't (they were all Euriopean-white).
It's just the catholic part that bothers me, but I put myself over that to ensure he is in a good environment.
I don't like that I was put into a religion right after my birth without me having any chance to do anything against it (because - remember - it was just after my birth). I also don't like that biased religion subject I've got in school (even though not even my teachers are supporting the religion's opinion). But if it works, don't worry about him going to a catholic school. I mean, I know I wouldn't want to go to one if I didn't have to, but as long as they can't manipulate your thoughts or true opinion, they can't force their belief upon you or your child. And stop with that "feeling of defeat", not caring or ignoring the hate he was experiencing would have been the real problem.
Racism is Flanders... no... really ? I cannot believe that... *cough* *cough*
United Kingdom?
Belgium...