(already subscribe? log in).

Leave schools out of ritual of requirement

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR | letters | THE DREADED FEB. 14

THIS STORY APPEARED IN
Boston Articles
February 11, 2012
  • Valentine dog treats were for sale last month at the Bone-A-Patreat store in Des Moines.
Valentine dog treats were for sale last month at the Bone-A-Patreat store… (CHARLIE NEIBERGALL/ASSOCIATED…)

YOUR FEB. 8 editorial “Classroom Valentines: For all or none,’’ recommending required valentines for all kids, from all kids, in elementary schools, was poorly thought out.

You want all parents, even those who can hardly afford a valentine card for their own children, to be compelled to buy cards for every other child in class?

You want people who decry the Hallmarking of America compelled to participate against their will? You believe forcing kids to express friendship - not common courtesy, but actual friendship - where none exists, under compulsion, does not deprive them of their rights to free speech?

Keep in mind, by the way, that if you allowed kids to send different valentines to different classmates, the differences would signify something to the recipients.

You think these obvious maneuvers would fool those kids who’d get cards only because their classmates had to give them?

Are you really sure you want all this?

Megan Brook

Cambridge

Advertisement
Advertisement
|
|
|
|