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Culture War Roundup for the week of November 27, 2023

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My unsaid thought was "that's child abuse."

If they can easily afford any of the well-regarded private schools, their kid will be fine wherever they go.

Well-being isn't just long term outcomes (and I'd agree with you that the actual long term trajectories would be similar). It's about their experience while there: there's being bored constantly and concerns around physical safety.

If the kid doesn't care about being academically challenged or physical safety, I agree that probably it doesn't qualify as child abuse.

Assuming they survive.

Here are some more

I don't know the specific district this kid is in. But getting thrown into a "bad" school carries more risk than just learning less.

And I am sure that I can dig up anecdotes of kids at private schools committing suicide because of various pressures. The kid is overwhelmingly likely to be fine.

Edit: Not to mention easier access to hard drugs in pvt schools.

But the kid would likely be better off were they to go to a well-regarded private school. We calculate child support based on what the parent can afford, not based merely on what is necessary for the kid to be "fine", because the child is entitled to parental support. Why shouldn't we similarly require parents with the necessary means to not skimp out on their child's education?

Yes, I am sure the kid would be better off in many respects. But the claim was that it was child abuse.