britsnake

The area with the problems was in a part of Toronto.

My friend claimed a lot of the problems were gang related and that usually it did not include normal people. The descriptions given reminded me not only of US schools but the way that some schools were going in London.

These incidents do not happen as frequently as they do in the US or major british cities, but they do happen enough to be noticeable and commented upon by the locals. But one good thing about Canada is that trouble makers usually stay in their local communities unless of course they relocate.

dbd33

[QUOTE=rooney2603;5922939]
My children's school had security guards and a metal detector. Children got stabbed occassionally. I don't recall there being any shootings. Drugs are sold on the porch and there used to be a problem with prostitution on school property before they brought in the guards and fences. It was and is a very good school but the location is urban (Jarvis and College in Toronto) and so these things are inevitable. Canada may be a bit of a backwater but they do have crack and meth here too.

rae

[QUOTE=dbd33;5924545] same here. there is apparently a great school for performing arts in the centre of edmonton which we were looking at for my daughter as she has shown some apptitude for that sort of thing. anyway, the location near to the downtown core, comprising of sex shops, homeless people, low cost motels with drunks/drugged up persons collapsed on the step outside and open prostitution during the day, sort of put me off.

dbd33

[QUOTE=rae;5927809] I saw it as exposing them to life's difficult choices at an early age. Besides, I mostly work on the block and have got used to it.

uk+kiwi

I totally agree. I didn't read anything offensive or upsetting in his posts.

In fact, I agreed that a university education is considered (rightly or wrongly) a baseline level of education thesedays. I am post graduate educated. As are my parents and both my deceased grandfathers. I would consider it strange if my children didn't go to university. But if they had other plans that would be fine too. Expectations of 'normailty' and personal experience is all this boils down to IMO. Not snobbery and one-up-manship at all.

rae

[QUOTE=dbd33;5927841] i understand, i do not wish her to be wrapped in cotton wool, i discuss some aspects of my profession, not all obviously and am quite open in discussing topics on the news when they arise. i appreciate this is not first hand, but in some cases i do not think this is necessary.

Harrypottermouse

Hi - first time on this thread so forgive me sticking my bib in...

We like many are coming to primarily give our 2 DDs a better life and opportunities. (Grass isn't greener just a different shade). We have already made a huge decision in the UK to abandaon what we feel is a largely failing school system in favour of Home Based education.

We have timed our Recci to coinside with the Sask. HBE conference in Regina and having attended a few of these in the UK - we are certainly looking to compare both sides of the atlantic on this one. But, again, both Mr Mouse and I are post grads, but we learned an important lesson about children at our last conference...if they are happy, enjoy the job they do, take pride in their work, home and family - isn't that the most fantastic start in life they could have? Its not about learning English, Science, Lanuguages, Maths - all you need to do is bake a cake and you have all these ingredients.

Spending time with them when they are young and vulnerable, that is what is important. Teaching them how to love and respect themselves and each other, not just giving but receiving these things too. Money and possessions are immaterial - the more you have the more you want...the persuit of excellence should not come with a price or status...

The question is - where can they get that...we are hoping in Canada - but we still need to guide and encourage - and that comes from us.

Kind of getting a bit sopy and blue eyed - we think the life in Canada for us will be harder - but it will be worth seeing their little faces when they are dashing around in the snow, see their first moose or bear close up and comparing notes over the internet with projects they've just completed with their UK friends...time and opportunities is what we want to give them...I am hoping that the distances involved in just being in Canada, make ME pull my head back in and wake up and smell the roses before I loose the chance.

Sorry if I've gone on...

Dawn

bazzz

Are you talking about breasts?

Alberta_Rose

.... not really something they should aspire to!

Harrypottermouse

Nope - Darling daughters....(I said be nice)

Harrypottermouse

The opportunity to study and learn was the opportunties not well vocalised, not necessarily within immediate harms way...

Alberta_Rose

Ah go on....... tell them to pet the nice cuddly bear!.......




edit: I'm the only person in the whole of Canada who's never seen a bloody bear! Even when one walked into the hospital I was working at, I missed it!!!!

Harrypottermouse

Believe me when Stingy starts, I would love to sometimes giver her a taste of her own medicine

grantanddebs

Hello everyone, my god, this is the longest post ever!!!

i am a 28 yr old lad , originally from Scotland, but now living in NZ with my NZ partner and 9 month old baby girl!!

we are in the process of Canadian immigration at the moment and cant wait to take our baby daughter to Canada to start a new life.

everything we have heard and read suggests she will have a great start to her young days!!

I grew up in Scotland and have lived in various parts of the UK and have first hand experience of being brought up there(not that long ago!!)

In my opinion, the UK has a huge problem with Alcohol and Drugs. Not just in big cities but in every single Nook and Cranny of every region in the whole country. No matter where you go its everywhere.

Not that every person who is into this is a failure, but lots of violent crime is purely alcohol and drug related in most places in the UK.


I originially come from a town of 10,000 people and even there it is rife among most teenagers and young adults. (probably because kids there feel like there is nothing to do)

My partner from New Zealand could not believe it when I told her what normal weekends consist of for a young guy/girl in the UK!!

I honesty think that as parents, if we were in the UK, we would have a really hard job in keeping our daughter out of these circles when she was older.

Although, I think for a younger child, certainly primary School age, maybe things are not so bad.

Even some of my friends who ended up going to University and studying Law and Architechture have gone off the rails with drink and drugs. I have been shocked many times when I have bumped into former friends who have just lost the plot!!

I think overall it is a culture thing. The UK has this in its culture and that im afraid may never change. Maybe its in Canadian culture too, I dont know, but from what I gather, people over there have much more options in there spare time than just going out and drinking ten pints and taking some drugs to make themselves happy!!!

thats my take on it from a fresh out of the UK culture Scotsman who has been there, done that and amazingly come out the other side to a great life elsewhere!!

Grant.

Alberta_Rose

I don't understand this post.