Wow, what a discussion this generated. Well, it was just a rant. I don't actually intend to talk to the teacher about it. You are right, I'm thrilled they are teaching personal economics at all. Because all the training I got was in junior high, we learned how to write a check, and how to fill out an income tax form. And we played the stock market game in history.

I've been pleased because Nell's school exercise has opened up a lot of discussion at home. So SHE at least is learning what I think of car loans, and how it is possible to own a car, eventually even a very nice car, without a loan. And of course she sees how well I could get along without a car at all.

I'm not against marriage, by the way. My sister said, when she & her boyfriend moved in together a few years ago, "We don't need the blessings of a church we don't believe in or a government we don't support to be in love." (She's a little more radical than I am.)

My husband & I will celebrate 16 years of marriage in August. Oh--when Nell was practicing the "patriarchal institution" speech, he tried to interject a comment. We turned to him and told him it wasn't his place to speak.

Probably the only way the teacher could get anyone to partner up in marriages for the financial exercise, was to provide the incentives.