Socio-Political Demographics of school parents
Discussion
I'm not very clued up in this dept, I'm afraid - though I have noticed that the prevailing 'core' of parents at my son's (private Catholic) school seem to be different in outlook to myself - far more conservative, inward looking; it's been a bit of a shock. Though, having just typed the above, I can see that there may be an element of naivety on my part 
We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
Just go to the open days and chat to the other parents. What we did.
Nowadays, it is a case of being chaperoned by a couple of pupils and less opportunity for interaction with other parents. I do like your KISS approach, however and looking back on a few open days, we have snatched at a couple of interactions that have created an impression either way.Countdown said:
Would it make a lot of difference?
Just thinking back to my own school days - my parents background was completely different to 99.99% of the others. Similarly when my kids were at Primary school it was hardcore CoifE (although to be fair the parents themselves weren't).
That's a very pertinent question, CD, though not an end goal of my intentions. Consider this to be an element of curiosity, to help form a picture of a potential school (as do squash courts, time of travel, ethnic mix etc).Just thinking back to my own school days - my parents background was completely different to 99.99% of the others. Similarly when my kids were at Primary school it was hardcore CoifE (although to be fair the parents themselves weren't).
At a younger age (11+) it may may a lot of difference as the children are still young enough to require organised play dates and then there is always a 'sphere of influence' within the parental group, which is useful for keeping the finger on the pulse of current affairs, so to speak. I'm not one for herd mentality, but it would be nice to know that we're more likely than not to find common traits within other parents in the year group.
I think you're massively overthinking things.
What interaction to you see yourself having with your kids friends parents. I only ever had brief in-passing conversations with those at my kids schools. Couldn't tell you if they were nazis or communists. We have our own social circle and did not plan to make a new one containing parents at the school.
Regardless of what their parents are like, there will be a complete range of kids at the school, As long as you have brought your own kids up to be selective and use good judgment than that is all you need to worry about.
What interaction to you see yourself having with your kids friends parents. I only ever had brief in-passing conversations with those at my kids schools. Couldn't tell you if they were nazis or communists. We have our own social circle and did not plan to make a new one containing parents at the school.
Regardless of what their parents are like, there will be a complete range of kids at the school, As long as you have brought your own kids up to be selective and use good judgment than that is all you need to worry about.
bolidemichael said:
I'm not very clued up in this dept, I'm afraid - though I have noticed that the prevailing 'core' of parents at my son's (private Catholic) school seem to be different in outlook to myself - far more conservative, inward looking; it's been a bit of a shock. Though, having just typed the above, I can see that there may be an element of naivety on my part
We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
By the standards of this forum I'm pretty much a communist but I don't think I'd be looking to choose a school on the basis that the other parents had the same views as me. How much time do you actually spend with these people? I hardly ever go down to the school and certainly wouldn't choose to hang our with the other parents. We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
I do know some of the parents of course and they're a mixed bag in terms of politics and educational attainment. You can always find some common ground with people regardless of if they're a tory and you're a labour supporter you know.
bolidemichael said:
That's a very pertinent question, CD, though not an end goal of my intentions. Consider this to be an element of curiosity, to help form a picture of a potential school (as do squash courts, time of travel, ethnic mix etc).
At a younger age (11+) it may may a lot of difference as the children are still young enough to require organised play dates and then there is always a 'sphere of influence' within the parental group, which is useful for keeping the finger on the pulse of current affairs, so to speak. I'm not one for herd mentality, but it would be nice to know that we're more likely than not to find common traits within other parents in the year group.
I have to admit "organised play dates" are something I have no knowledge of. I know my wife made friends with other parents when the kids were young enough to be at nursery and she met them for coffee on social occasions (with the kids playing with each other) but that was more because my wife enjoyed socialising with some of the other mums.At a younger age (11+) it may may a lot of difference as the children are still young enough to require organised play dates and then there is always a 'sphere of influence' within the parental group, which is useful for keeping the finger on the pulse of current affairs, so to speak. I'm not one for herd mentality, but it would be nice to know that we're more likely than not to find common traits within other parents in the year group.
Possibly a stupid question but what IS an organised play date? Surely if the kids like each other then nothing needs to be formally organised and social standings have no relevance?
Countdown said:
I have to admit "organised play dates" are something I have no knowledge of. I know my wife made friends with other parents when the kids were young enough to be at nursery and she met them for coffee on social occasions (with the kids playing with each other) but that was more because my wife enjoyed socialising with some of the other mums.
Possibly a stupid question but what IS an organised play date? Surely if the kids like each other then nothing needs to be formally organised and social standings have no relevance?
An 'organised play date'? Simply that at 11 years of age in London, they're not quite at the age of independent travel; facetime is a good substitute though.Possibly a stupid question but what IS an organised play date? Surely if the kids like each other then nothing needs to be formally organised and social standings have no relevance?
To clarify, I'm not looking to 'vet' people before I grant them an audience with my 'lofty' self - I'm simply wondering whether, as estate agencies characterise neighbourhoods by the papers people read and their professions, if this is also a resource applicable to the families that send their children to certain schools.
bolidemichael said:
I'm not very clued up in this dept, I'm afraid - though I have noticed that the prevailing 'core' of parents at my son's (private Catholic) school seem to be different in outlook to myself - far more conservative, inward looking; it's been a bit of a shock. Though, having just typed the above, I can see that there may be an element of naivety on my part
We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
Have you read that back and realised how snobbish / ridiculous it sounds ?.We are now looking towards secondary school. Is there any research that can be conducted in order to determine whether the families that send their children there might have similar world-views a to our own? Even perhaps to the extent that their political leaning might suggest what kind of parental approach they might have i.e. permissive, supportive vs strict, goal-oriented.
Why not send a questionnaire to prospective schools to post out to all parents and work it out through that ?.
My kids are at different schools my daughter is at a performing arts school and my sons go to a normal private school. The parents are all different and from the ones I know seem to be from different backgrounds mainly just trying to do their best for their kids.
I wouldn’t think of trying to link their politics or religion or parenting approach or anything else to the school atmosphere or whatever.
Maybe by going to private school i’ve already done this to some extent as kids from less well off families are unlikely to be paying school fees and disruptive kids will get kicked out.
I don’t have a clue about the general politics of the parents though. TBH I’m surprised anyone would think this is relevant. It’s a school not a country club for PLUs
I wouldn’t think of trying to link their politics or religion or parenting approach or anything else to the school atmosphere or whatever.
Maybe by going to private school i’ve already done this to some extent as kids from less well off families are unlikely to be paying school fees and disruptive kids will get kicked out.
I don’t have a clue about the general politics of the parents though. TBH I’m surprised anyone would think this is relevant. It’s a school not a country club for PLUs
Look for a Quaker school. All sorts send their children to those. My children are in one, it's the only "religious" variety of school I'd consider because it is the most tolerant, open, inoffensive and inclusive religion there is.
This is the problem with private schools - most of them are deeply attached to some zealotic religious cult or have a military association of some kind. Schools which are genuinely encouraging of independent thought and inclusive of all beliefs, and none, are very thin on the ground. Quaker affiliated schools are one of the few exceptions.
This is the problem with private schools - most of them are deeply attached to some zealotic religious cult or have a military association of some kind. Schools which are genuinely encouraging of independent thought and inclusive of all beliefs, and none, are very thin on the ground. Quaker affiliated schools are one of the few exceptions.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
This 100 times over.OP - what are you trying to achieve in wanting to know this stuff?
As parents you'll be spending much more time with your kids than anyone else. It's down to you how they approach and view life. You can either try and tell them how it is and cut them out of your will if they disobey, or you can teach them how to think for themselves, be logical and research....(with shades in between on some topics of course).
Parents are just people. They're as diverse as non-parents. People do have a habit of leaning further right as they get older IMO. I think this is natural when you start to think what life factors might encourage that.
My son went to a private school, which has a reputation as being a bit Tory. In real life though, any time they had school mock elections, mock referenda or debates, the kids were generally reflective of the views of the general public. The parents I met generally kept their political views to themselves, the few I did talk to about politics were also generally spread between left and right of centre, no real extremists either way.
Any state school is going to have parents that are broadly representative of the local political landscape. If that landscape doesn't align with your own views, your ability to do anything about it is nil unless you send your children to Private School.
In any case, and as mentioned by others, this shouldn't matter a jot. It's the 'type' of parents they are that counts not which way the lean politically.
Take Grammar Schools. Kids rarely get places in these without their parents investing effort and time in helping them build their capacity and abilities to a level beyond the norm. Thus, the parents of Grammar School kids are on a similar level when it comes to the commitment they make to their children's futures.
That's not to say all stake school kid's parents couldn't give a toss but the range of variability around this is is far wider (and for balance, we had one who went to a Grammar School and the other to a State one).
Beyond that, you look at the school and get a feel for whether it's right or not.
In any case, and as mentioned by others, this shouldn't matter a jot. It's the 'type' of parents they are that counts not which way the lean politically.
Take Grammar Schools. Kids rarely get places in these without their parents investing effort and time in helping them build their capacity and abilities to a level beyond the norm. Thus, the parents of Grammar School kids are on a similar level when it comes to the commitment they make to their children's futures.
That's not to say all stake school kid's parents couldn't give a toss but the range of variability around this is is far wider (and for balance, we had one who went to a Grammar School and the other to a State one).
Beyond that, you look at the school and get a feel for whether it's right or not.
Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff