Germany is not saying "you can't raise your kids by your beliefs" - Edit 1
Before modification by LadyLorraine at 03/03/2010 03:31:18 PM
They're saying "your kid as to attend school and home schooling doesn't count"
As I've said elsewhere, it's hardly like these two parents haven't had many years to apply for immigration elsewhere. I don't believe that this is a new law for Germany (is it?), so operating on the assumption that they knew about the law (which I would hope they would, as that would be the responsible thing to do), they made the bed they're laying in. It does suck that they'd have to leave the country to home school, but Germany's law isn't what we're discussing here. Instead of applying for a visa in a timely manner, these parents flouted the law and now that they're caught, are begging asylum. Obviously, they believe enough in what they're teaching their kids that they're willing to flee to the US...but if they had followed the proper course of action they could have been here before it became an issue.
Now, of course, if they didn't know about the law or it's recent, then it's a different story. If it's recent, then I could perhaps at least understand their train of thought (even if I don't agree with it). If they didn't know about it, I say, tough luck. The legality of doing something you know is against the norm for something regulated and judged like education is probably something you should look into before doing it. Home schooling here is legal, but even knowing that I'd look into the specifics before starting to home school my hypothetical child.
As I've said elsewhere, it's hardly like these two parents haven't had many years to apply for immigration elsewhere. I don't believe that this is a new law for Germany (is it?), so operating on the assumption that they knew about the law (which I would hope they would, as that would be the responsible thing to do), they made the bed they're laying in. It does suck that they'd have to leave the country to home school, but Germany's law isn't what we're discussing here. Instead of applying for a visa in a timely manner, these parents flouted the law and now that they're caught, are begging asylum. Obviously, they believe enough in what they're teaching their kids that they're willing to flee to the US...but if they had followed the proper course of action they could have been here before it became an issue.
Now, of course, if they didn't know about the law or it's recent, then it's a different story. If it's recent, then I could perhaps at least understand their train of thought (even if I don't agree with it). If they didn't know about it, I say, tough luck. The legality of doing something you know is against the norm for something regulated and judged like education is probably something you should look into before doing it. Home schooling here is legal, but even knowing that I'd look into the specifics before starting to home school my hypothetical child.