Too much 'adult supremacy' at school? Or not enough?

I am an adultist, and proud of it. Now that I know there is such a thing.

San Francisco teachers were urged to resist "adult supremacy" at a weekend workshop sponsored by Teachers4SocialJustice, reports Annie Gaus in the California Post. “Youth as Knowledge Producers: Challenging Adult Supremacy Through Ethnic Studies" was part of an “Ethnic Studies Everywhere” conference.

Teachers who chose to attend learned that "the relationship between students and educators is an oppressive one," as a slide explained. Adult supremacy “constructs adults as developed, mature, intelligent, and experienced, based solely on their age and ensures that adults control the resources and make the decisions in society.”

In addition, success “within the Western context” is “demanding, overwhelming, and dehumanizing.”

Another slide cited adultism's link to "cultural imperialism, marginalization, exploitation, powerlessness and violence," writes Gaus.

Teachers4SocialJustice wants teachers to infuse ethnic studies, which it sees as centered on social justice, into all classes. That includes "abolitionist teaching," which calls for abolishing practices such as testing and bans on cheating, according to Wikipedia. Abolitionists "have stirred controversy by . . . promoting anti-police, anti-capitalism and anti-Zionist viewpoints."

Friends of Lowell Foundation, which advocates for academic merit at San Francisco schools, compiled the “adult supremacy” slides. The group is suing to block San Francisco Unified's ethnic studies curriculum, which is a required one-year course starting with the Class of 2029.

“We have knowledge and life experience, and it is our job as parents and teachers to impart information on the next generation, on our kids,” one parent told Gaus. “Given that a large percentage of students in the district do not meet grade level standards in ELA and math, our focus as a school district is clearly way off track.”

The ethnic studies conference was held at a public high school but was not a San Francisco Unified event, said a district spokesperson, who added that outside groups can rent or use district facilities.

Superintendent Maria Su has been asked to testify at a June 10 congressional hearing on parental rights and “inappropriate content” in schools. Friends of Lowell will send a delegation to the hearing.

"Adultism" is making its way into equity training aimed at teachers, such as an online seminar held by TEACH Los Angeles, an educators’ network, writes Gaus. The Oakland Youth Commission announced an adultism training for city employees last year.

A Santa Clara County agency included "ageism and adultism" in "anti-oppression" training. “Participants consider how the myth of independence, rooted in settler colonial capitalism, contributes to the marginalization of youth & elders by diminishing agency, excluding perspectives, & reinforcing stereotypes in behavioral health practice,” an invitation read. That's my tax dollars at work!

I had a very specific deal with my daughter when she was young. "I'm the boss. You're the kid. As the boss, I will provide you with food, clothing and a home, and protect you from wolves and bears. As the kid, you have to listen to me and do what I say."

I had a job, a credit card, a drivers' license and a car. The house was in my name. I had the power and the responsibility.

My daughter grew up to be a responsible adult and an authoritative parent. She's the boss.

In 21st-century American culture, nobody seems to want to grow up. Teenagers are slower than earlier generations to get a drivers' license, an after-school job and a girlfriend or boyfriend. (Non-binary teens can't even commit to a sex or gender.) Young adults complain they don't know to cook, clean or budget their money. Not-so-young adults fear having children who will impinge on their leisure time.

I have a few slogs for the adult supremacy movement: Don't make me count to 10! Stop whining and just do it! Grow up already!