Of course abuse is more important than this particular issue, I am merely saying that blindly following authority is what can easily lead to abuse. I would refer to some of the priest abuse issues as an example.
Choosing to do or not to do a future assignment is where the critical in critical thinking comes in. I'm not suggesting refusing a legitimate assignment like doing math problems or studying a list of spelling words. But if something doesn't seem right it should be questioned. That doesn't mean don't do it. That means question it and if the answers you get don't put your questions to rest question further or someone else. Sometimes the most important question is not what but why. In the end it might be fine and the assignment gets done, but getting in line and obeying like sheep is not good either.
As regards to reading and tv time everyone will parent different. Of course reading is important but there are those that think their kids should only read and don't even have a TV. There are those that think once kids get their homework, assigned reading, and chores done their free time is theirs to do as they please. There are those that place just as much emphasis on getting out and doing physical activity as with education.
Growing up we did our homework and were encouraged to read. We were also made to go outside and play every day. In the summer we were expected to read but we were not permitted to sit inside and read all day. My parents wanted us to get out and have physical activity every day also. That went a long way towards me valuing physical activity to this day.
None of these different parenting styles is right or wrong, they are just different and it is not the schools business to tell my kid what they "should" be doing outside of their walls.
Did you get a lot of assignments in school that you felt were wrong for some reason or other? Maybe I am just not seeing the big picture here. I just don't know of any assignment for that I would allow my child to refuse to do.
As for following like sheep:
, I wish you could have seen my younger son in high school. Talk about NOT following the group and dressing like or acting like everyone else! My kids are taught that they are individuals and are free to act as such. Their political and religious beliefs are their own and they each have the ability to decide for themselves what is right and what is wrong. But they are also taught that in school, you complete your assignments as assigned. The only exception would be something they find to be morally wrong. (like perhaps the dissecting of a frog--but even that I find questionable). Just like in the adult world of work, they will have to complete any assignment they are given unless they find it to be morally wrong.
And besides ALL of that: This is just not something I can quite understand being all that objectionable. Why on earth does anyone care if the teacher knows you watch "Cops" for 28 hours a week? So what if she thinks you shouldn't? That's her opinion.
Also, did I miss that she would be grading according to the number of hours the child reads? If not, then I would say that she is not judging anyone for anything.
I too grew up playing outside in the afternoons and summers. I also spent many enjoyable hours reading books. I know for a fact that I did better in all subject areas in school because of those hours spent reading.
The fact is kids are not made to play outside everyday, kids are spending their time watching tv and playing video games. Maybe you don't allow it, but that parent next door might and their kids need to learn good habits too.
