Letters to the Editor
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homeschooling in Spain
Tina--Homeschooling is legal in Spain, as it is in the majority of Western European nations. The Spanish constitution specifically gives parents the right to have their children educated in accordance with their religious principles. Look it up.
A Spanish homeschooling association:
http://www.educacionlibre.org/
Look, I don't like seeing little girls in headscarves any more than you do, but we're (and I'm speaking of the general Western world, since as Canuckistan Bob pointed out, I don't actually have a vote in Spanish elections) not going to get anywhere by banning the practice.
In Afghanistan, they've been opening up schools for girls, but something like less than half of girls are enrolled. A big reason is that the classes are often held in open tents and the girls' parents will not let them attend if they can be seen by men. This is obviously horribly oppressive, but the best bet to improve the long-term status of women in Afghanistan is to put walls on the tents and EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AFGHAN WOMEN. Change does not happen overnight, and sometimes you have to work with what you have and compromise on small matters rather than steamrolling your way over others' viewpoints.
I think a few days ago, I saw a Salon post about Democrat/ Republican onesies for newborns. Now, obviously, a baby cannot have political opinions and is being dressed that way to further his/her parents' political beliefs. I find this practice incredibly offensive and indoctrinating, but I'm not about to call for a ban on political onesies in daycare centers or to call the parents child abusers.