Julie W

Hi everyone,

I have just read Joyce's post which I found really useful.

I am wondering how the rest of you deal with interaction with the state and to what extent you feel value in trying to change "the system."

Joyce said:
Basically this list is for people who want the ideas of how to build a relationship with their kids...

so far so good - I can work on this in my own home and in my own relationships

and then she said:
who don't want to do things that will tear the relationship down.

Here in New Zealand I still feel the threat of state compulsion hanging over me from time to time which dampens my ability to truly unschool. I also find my children's choices hampered by impositions of petty rules imposed by the state.

For example, if my children want to gain qualifications for tertiary study they must either go to school or we must fund them to use a correspondence course at a price 10 times higher than that charged to persons above compulsory age or in schools which can't provide the subjects. To what extent do others feel a need to enter into dialogue with the state and political parties either to gain incremental improvements or to lobby for the removal of compulsion.

I tend toward trying to gain the incremental improvements in the short term but I am not sure if I have the courage time or ability to lobby for the really major changes - removal of compulsion - which I feelis needed before families can have true choice.

Interested in how others have taking this moving from the personal to the political.

Cheers,
Julie W
Wellington
New Zealand





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