PTO Today

Thought this was an interesting column from London. Wasn't really blog-worthy, but thought it might be an interesting perspective for this particular forum.

Writer chides British media for going to the NCPTA's spokesperson for the definitive take on what "parents" think. Fact is that the NCPTA spokesperson is really only qulaified to represent what the NCPTA thinks (or perhaps "a very small percentage of like-minded parents" think).

Same thing happens here in the states.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/comme...037194,00.html

Just a thought... and perhaps a conversation starter.

Tim

Tim, that's an interesting article. Thank you for sharing it. I read it yesterday but had to spend some time thinking about it before replying.

Unfortunately, national groups are often given more credit for speaking on behalf of all parents than they warrant. They do offer one perspective but it should be balanced with ideas and opinions from many sources.

I once participated in a focus group discussion. The gentleman who volunteered to be our spokesman took notes, participated in the talks, didn't always agree with the group but listened to what we had to say. When it came time for him to speak on our behalf, he stood up in front of everyone and stated his views alone, even those counter to the majority opinion and shared them as though it was what we all agreed on. It was a pretty stark example of how someone designated as spokesperson does not always represent the views of the majority.

Forums like this one are helpful. There's anonymity so we aren't censoring ourselves too much. Topics are relevant and timely. The wide range of personalities allow for lively discussions and differing points of view.

When I have a concern, I'm much more likely to discuss them with friends or pop in here and throw out a subject for feedback than I ever would be to 'check with a professional or expert' on the topic.

__________________
“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our hearts. And we are never, ever the same.”

Interesting that in the year 2007- some still think childrens development, testing and care is done with a cookie cutter mold and that one organization or its constituants speak for millions of parents who come from a miriad of cultures, backgrounds, education, homelife, etc.

With our Culture of exit polls and R&D studies squed (scewed- sp?) to fit the data we want (ie bottom line, less than 40% vote but 80% dissaprove of whatever political agenda, party, etc) not the data we need or want to hear ( as my friends in the Illuminati say -- According to the latest official figures, 43% of all statistics are totally worthless.) its sometimes too much info or opinion to make educated decisions

I think we forget kids and adults just need to be 'kids' sometimes and theres no absolute correct way (although we do know they're are some absolute incorrect ways or ways that work better for some)

__________________
[B]Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. [/B]
[I][B]~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus[/B][/I]
[B]The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is to live under the government of worse men."[/B]
[B][I]~Wisdom of Plato[/I][/B]

Absolutely!!!

Sharing time-tested trial and error on what works and what doesn't is how people learn. 'Gut feeling' is a term that wasn't born from someone's imagination, it's what happens. As a parent, you can follow all the "experts", books and surveys that you want but you need to go with what you feel works and is your/your child's or families best interest. What worked for a control group of 500 is not necessarily going to work for me and my family.

Me, I go right to my family and friends - what do you think of such and such? What's worked for you? I'm toying with the idea of..., have you tried it? Those are the questions I ask the people around me everyday, I just can't justify looking up a study or poll to answer things for me.

__________________
[I]"Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it" - Ferris Bueller[/I]