I've just pre-ordered from Bookshop.org and am looking forward to reading the book.
I remember a conversation I had with another mum when our kids were little. We were talking about friends and friendship and I was saying something about my children being my friends. She said that parents can't be friends with their own children and her reasoning was basically that parents need to have authority over their children - for their safety and welfare... and I guess so they grow up "correctly".
Perhaps it's because I'm autistic and don't really "do" hierarchy, but this makes no sense to me. My children have always been individual, autonomous people to me, each with their own feelings, interests, personalities, as much as any of my adult friends.
Children are oppressed in so many ways, from arbitrary school rules to the Cass review, from the Prevent programme to the thousands dying from imposed starvation and bombing in Gaza. And "child protection" is invoked to deny children their rights.
I recommend everyone to read John Holt's "How Children Fail" and John Taylor Gatto's speech/essay on what schools really teach children, in "Dumbing Us Down", as well as getting your book!
Both wonderful suggestions, thanks for sharing them! And I completely agree with you about seeing children as people (and I'm right there with you in the rage over how children are treated). I'm so excited for you to read the book, I have a feeling you're going to really enjoy it. xx
"We’re getting better now at spotting the role of capitalism, or of patriarchy or racism, in creating a deeply unequal society."
Can there be a place for me in the children's liberation coalition even though I think that capitalism (properly defined) is a force for good in the world? I ask in earnest. Think of me as a free-market loon if you must, but please let me be welcome here. Even now, in my fifties, memories of the adultism I faced in my childhood and teen years are so terribly painful that I simply *must* support child lib despite any differences of opinion with other child libbers on economic policy.
Some day, if I make the time and summon the energy, I may write a Substack making the case for child liberation in libertarian terms, some of which would necessarily differ from the leftist terms in It's Not Fair. Can we agree to disagree about capitalism as we work together to liberate the young? If we can, won't it be all the better for the building of an anti-adultist consensus across the political spectrum?
"Can there be a place for me in the children's liberation coalition even though I think that capitalism (properly defined) is a force for good in the world?" ABSOLUTELY!
I think we need everyone - whatever our other political or philosophical beliefs - to put our heads together and figure out how to improve things for children. And I think that can only happen with open discussion and idea sharing.
Though I suspect you might struggle to convince me of the merits of libertarianism when it comes to child liberation, I'll always be open to listening to your arguments (and I hope you do write that piece). I don't think any movement can exist in isolation, and I don't think it's healthy for us to exist in echo chambers. My personal view is that I should welcome my beliefs being challenged; it gives me an opportunity to see if I can defend them!
I've just pre-ordered from Bookshop.org and am looking forward to reading the book.
I remember a conversation I had with another mum when our kids were little. We were talking about friends and friendship and I was saying something about my children being my friends. She said that parents can't be friends with their own children and her reasoning was basically that parents need to have authority over their children - for their safety and welfare... and I guess so they grow up "correctly".
Perhaps it's because I'm autistic and don't really "do" hierarchy, but this makes no sense to me. My children have always been individual, autonomous people to me, each with their own feelings, interests, personalities, as much as any of my adult friends.
Children are oppressed in so many ways, from arbitrary school rules to the Cass review, from the Prevent programme to the thousands dying from imposed starvation and bombing in Gaza. And "child protection" is invoked to deny children their rights.
I recommend everyone to read John Holt's "How Children Fail" and John Taylor Gatto's speech/essay on what schools really teach children, in "Dumbing Us Down", as well as getting your book!
Both wonderful suggestions, thanks for sharing them! And I completely agree with you about seeing children as people (and I'm right there with you in the rage over how children are treated). I'm so excited for you to read the book, I have a feeling you're going to really enjoy it. xx
"We’re getting better now at spotting the role of capitalism, or of patriarchy or racism, in creating a deeply unequal society."
Can there be a place for me in the children's liberation coalition even though I think that capitalism (properly defined) is a force for good in the world? I ask in earnest. Think of me as a free-market loon if you must, but please let me be welcome here. Even now, in my fifties, memories of the adultism I faced in my childhood and teen years are so terribly painful that I simply *must* support child lib despite any differences of opinion with other child libbers on economic policy.
Some day, if I make the time and summon the energy, I may write a Substack making the case for child liberation in libertarian terms, some of which would necessarily differ from the leftist terms in It's Not Fair. Can we agree to disagree about capitalism as we work together to liberate the young? If we can, won't it be all the better for the building of an anti-adultist consensus across the political spectrum?
"Can there be a place for me in the children's liberation coalition even though I think that capitalism (properly defined) is a force for good in the world?" ABSOLUTELY!
I think we need everyone - whatever our other political or philosophical beliefs - to put our heads together and figure out how to improve things for children. And I think that can only happen with open discussion and idea sharing.
Though I suspect you might struggle to convince me of the merits of libertarianism when it comes to child liberation, I'll always be open to listening to your arguments (and I hope you do write that piece). I don't think any movement can exist in isolation, and I don't think it's healthy for us to exist in echo chambers. My personal view is that I should welcome my beliefs being challenged; it gives me an opportunity to see if I can defend them!
I'm delighted to have you here Brian x