UO/FFFC... You know you want it!

PSU_Texan

We've had some lively debate lately on schools.  Let out all those confessions and unpopular opinions.  But know that nothing is really flame free

MommyAtty

I hate school zones at jr highs and high schools. Here, junior high starts at 7th grade. If by 7th grade, you can't learn how to walk on residential roads safely, then my UO is that Darwinism should take over. (All the junior highs in my city are in residential neighborhoods, so it isn't like I'm asking them to walk on a highway unaided.)

PSU_Texan

I have a confession... my bff from forever is in town with her 4yo DS and 3mo DS.  Obviously the baby is fine.  But her 4yo is a PITA.  I'm sure I just don't know how to deal with boys since I have only girls.  But sometimes I judge her parenting as the reason that he is so difficult.  I feel terrible for feeling this way. 

sugarbear0524

Mine is all the teachers in my life and on my facebook who think that teaching is the only difficult job. It's so much more stressful than everyone else's job...they are so poorly compensated....we have too much paperwork and too many meetings.That's probably true, but it's also true of a lot of people's jobs. It's especially annoying when they are checking in from the pool on Facebook to rant about how difficult their job is.

I know it's a hard job. But it's not the ONLY hard job. I have mindless paperwork. I've been in way too many meetings. I have stress. I'm not compensated as much as I feel like I deserve. All jobs have pros and cons. You chose your profession. If it's that bad, there are many other lines of work to explore.

rubber_chicken

sugarbear0524 said:

Mine is all the teachers in my life and on my facebook who think that teaching is the only difficult job. It's so much more stressful than everyone else's job...they are so poorly compensated....we have too much paperwork and too many meetings.That's probably true, but it's also true of a lot of people's jobs. It's especially annoying when they are checking in from the pool on Facebook to rant about how difficult their job is.

I know it's a hard job. But it's not the ONLY hard job. I have mindless paperwork. I've been in way too many meetings. I have stress. I'm not compensated as much as I feel like I deserve. All jobs have pros and cons. You chose your profession. If it's that bad, there are many other lines of work to explore.

AMEN.  Teachers in our area are very well compensated.  My SIL has always made more than me, and I work 2 more months than her. 

sugarbear0524

Believe it or not. Your choice.

Most of it is family, so I didn't choose them. 

aglenn

MommyAtty said:

I hate school zones at jr highs and high schools. Here, junior high starts at 7th grade. If by 7th grade, you can't learn how to walk on residential roads safely, then my UO is that Darwinism should take over. (All the junior highs in my city are in residential neighborhoods, so it isn't like I'm asking them to walk on a highway unaided.)

Actually in my neighborhood the high school kids are the absolute worst about stepping right into the road while staring at their phones and not checking for traffic.  Younger kids are usually with a parent.

rubber_chicken

I have a UO.  I went to a women's college, which is currently being pressured to admit transwomen.

My UO, is that I don't believe women's colleges should admit transwomen. 

Flame away, internet. 

mae0111

I want to quit my job.  Extremely flameful, because it's really irresponsible.  We could live off of DH's salary, but I make almost the same salary, and my bonuses are twice his.  But I've had it.  

Another flameful - My sister has been extremely difficult (and at some times, nasty) over the past 8 years or so, and when I voice my displeasure, I'm told to just try and get along with her.  So her latest issue - she refuses to celebrate my dad's retirement.  Will not come out with us, because she's "Too busy".  We have offered her 7 alternative dates.  SEVEN.  Will not commit because of her kids' sports schedules.  So my flameful is that I'm feeling relieved that now others are feeling what I've felt for the last 8 years. 

rubber_chicken

Just because I disagree doesn't mean I'm narrow minded, I've done a lot of reading on this subject and given it a lot of thought.  Although that's why I haven't discussed this with anyone in real life.  Knee-jerk reactions come from both sides of the political coin.

First, women's colleges are single-sex institutions.  A women's college can admit people of all genders (there are more than 2) while only admitting people of one sex.  These are private institutions that have to adhere to Title IX regulations to stay single-sex. 

Second, women's colleges have an important role to serve in helping young women overcome the obstacles they've faced because of being female (and yes, this still exists in our world), as well as preparing them for the obstacles they'll face in adulthood (the glass ceiling, the mommy track).  If you grew up male and benefited from male privilege, then you aren't served by this mission.  The argument is made that women's colleges are safe spaces, and transpeople need access to safe spaces.  But, isn't that more of an argument for making co-ed colleges safe?  There are only 50 or so women's colleges left in the country, and there are thousands of co-ed colleges that already serve people of every sex and gender.  Keeping single-sex institutions single-sex is not going to prevent any transperson from attaining an education. 

Third, these are private institutions with finite funding.  Given limited funding, I think these institutions should focus on issues of importance to the greatest numbers of women - issues like affordable daycare, women's health, the dearth of women at top levels of private industry and government, the paygap and minimum wage.  Women's colleges are one of our society's greatest assets.  And it makes me suspicious that it's the women's colleges being petitioned and picketed; I haven't heard of any change.org petitions to allow transmen into Morehouse or Wabash. 

Fourth, and most importantly, every argument and opinion piece I've read for admitting transwomen to women's colleges has ended with the argument that women's colleges are obsolete and should open their doors to men.  I am a very big believer in single-sex education, both empirically and from personal experience, and I believe it needs to remain an option for tomorrow's students.

rubber_chicken

melOHdy said:

rubber_chicken said:

I have a UO.  I went to a women's college, which is currently being pressured to admit transwomen.

My UO, is that I don't believe women's colleges should admit transwomen. 

Flame away, internet. 

Please, elaborate.  They identify as WOMEN. They would probably have a difficult time at an all men's school. 

I don't imagine they would go to a men's college.  I imagine they would go to a co-ed school, as the vast majority of colleges and universities in this country are co-ed.

rubber_chicken

cjcouple said:

First off, you posted it on here for the shock factor.  It wasn't a knee jerk reaction. You even said "Flame away" which indicated you knew your stance was wrong.  --What? I don't believe my stance is wrong.  I believe it's an Unpopular Opinion, which is the title of the thread, and why I said to "flame away".  And although it's Unpopular, I would venture to say that it's not a shocking opinion to have at all.  

Secondly, that is an awfully big assumption that a transwoman grew up with male privileges. Do you honestly think a male that identifies as a woman grew up with any kind of male privilege?  --Yes.  If the world treats you as male, then you are afforded male privilege.  That's how it works.

How can you believe a transwoman would not benefit from any of those teachings?  --The issue isn't whether they would benefit, it's whether it's the mission of the college to provide those teachings for their benefit.  I'm sure there are many women who would benefit from attending Morehouse, but it's not the college's mission to educate them.

If you don't think single-sex education has a place in our society, well that's fine.  I'm not interested in changing your mind.  But we have a very large and diverse society, and out of thousands of colleges and universities, there are ~50 private institutions that cater to those females who DO value and want a single-sex education.  As this thread shows, the argument for allowing transwomen into women's colleges always seems to boil down to "single sex education is obsolete".  That's not a solution, it's just dismissing the needs and concerns of those women.

rubber_chicken

For the record, there are many big issues I have changed my mind on.  Of course, ad hominem attacks are not going to change my mind about anything, except to lead me to believe that You are actually the narrow minded person.  You seem to have a lot more interest in being disgusted by my beliefs than in understanding my position and educating me on yours. 

As I said previously, this is something I've never had the balls to talk about in public with people.  But stifling discourse by labeling people as narrow minded or bigoted or whatever doesn't change their minds.  It just drives those opinions underground, and really "limits our lives".