Comments on: It’s ‘wife camp’ for 10-year-olds

By: Anne

Anne — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:35:33 +0000

I am with you on this one. It does not matter how our children and teens got into this state, we all, parents, educators,media and society have to share equal blame for failing our children on this one. It is time to take back some control. Children need to learn about respect, and face to face communication, and it needs to be regularily enforced. We the adults have to remember that the generations of children we raise will be running governments, corporations, and possibly our lives in our "sunset" years as we contemplate moving to nursing homes. I for one want to know that I will still have the love and respect of my children enough to know that they will see to my comfort when I can no longer do for myself. Gender has nothing to do with this, it should be equally taught to everyone, even some adults i personally know!!!!!!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:03:34 +0000

Are you kidding! Have you watched children around in the last two decades! C'mon they are unruly, disrespectful, and basically incorrible. I have an eight yr old boy and would love for him to have a bright future. He is allowed to be a kid but learning to conduct himself will give him the edge he will need to be successful in his professional and private life! Grow up!

By: LisaG

LisaG — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:37:28 +0000

I love this idea. Today's younger generation are forever quoting scenes from The Family Guy and the series of JackAss movies at a tremendous rate and then don't understand why they are passed up for promotions and opportunities in their career. They seem to go for shock value rather than intelligence in their conversations. Secondly, this isn't a sexist idea at all, since both genders could use the help.

Perhaps the etiquette training starts with all of us parents. Just what are you as a parent willing to tolerate from your children, your friends and perhaps your family when it comes to language and behavior in your home.

By: Misty

Misty — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:26:09 +0000

oh by the way I'm 33 yrs old

By: Misty

Misty — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:25:19 +0000

I think that there should be proper behavior education for everyone Boys and girls , Men and Women. The last 2 generations have been puked up not raised properly I admit myself that I do not have proper manners or grace of any kind! I wouldn't mind going to a school to learn this , I would have better confidance knowing that I speak properly in an conversation instead of always being reminded and corrected by my friends and aquaitancesit's so embassing. It should be manditorly taught co-ed and also respect for all should be taught. Also I fing that it is very hard getting a job, Employeers think that you undereducated and stupid just from your speech!

By: Patty

Patty — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:03:57 +0000

Enter text right here!what did you just say?

By: Become a 1950s housewife. Or your money back. « McClung’s Blog

Become a 1950s housewife. Or your money back. « McClung’s Blog — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:13:14 +0000

[...] for 10-year-olds.” Say what? I quickly flipped through the thin, glossy pages until I finally hit Joanne Latimer’s story. The first page shows a photo from a scene of the TV hit show, Mad Men, which portrays the hellhole [...]

By: Who Needs “Wife Camp?”

Who Needs “Wife Camp?” — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:32:28 +0000

[...] just read an article online about a new camp in Montreal for 10-14 year old girls. This camp isn’t teaching girls how to [...]

By: Martyne

Martyne — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 18:47:45 +0000

I went to finishing school in the late seventies in Europe. Back then, you were not to talk about it but, years later, I was glad that I knew how to use the right fork and make proper chitchat when I found myself sitting, without a husband I might add, at a diplomat's table. If Mr. Lafrance thinks this is like going back to wife school then he doesn't know what it means to be an empowered woman.

Further, women who are confident and can pretty much make their way in any circle have more rewarding careers and earn more. Being able to evolve with the great of this world does not mean you won't sit by a fire with a guitar in you hands. People are multi-dimentional and thinking that such a camp is wrong is displaying a very narrow view of the world.

By: Make-over Camp’: good for girls « Women Born Transsexual

Make-over Camp’: good for girls « Women Born Transsexual — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:05:29 +0000

[...] founders of “Make-over Camp” <http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/06/16/it%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98wife-camp%E2%80%99-for-10-year-olds/&gt... in Montreal, presented on the Maclean’s magazine Web site, claim that young girls need these [...]

By: Chiya

Chiya — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 01:48:36 +0000

Rather than argue the idea of gender, why not consider that the attendees requiring some education about acceptable behaviour towards others be considered as "PEOPLE" not ""boys, girls, men, and women"?

Regardless of age or gender, PEOPLE should be valued for their integrity, their intelligence, their empathy, their skills, their desire to serve others, and host of other noble and genderless traits. To have any PERSON focus his/her primary attention on the way he/she looks, how other people will perceive him/her, the line of his/her clothes is to proclaim loudly: "you do not require substance, only the appearance of beauty".

There are millions of PEOPLE who do not fit the classical or current parameters of "beautiful, refined, and polished" but who are nonetheless worthy, noble PEOPLE whom any of us would be (and are) honoured to have in our lives. We value them not because their ties or their teeth are straight, but because they enrich our lives. To promote a school, gender biased or not, which focuses purely on appearances demeans all PEOPLE, and by definition promotes appearance over substance. We should be demanding excellence from ourselves, and our children.

Bear in mind the concept of "opportunity cost". Every minute a PERSON spends in vanity is NOT being spent on enriching his/her life, expanding his/her mind, or otherwise serving others. This isn't about gender. Its about substance.

By: laurie

laurie — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 03:49:06 +0000

Enter text right here!

i say let the kids be kids and we dont need nonething like this

By: not u!

not u! — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:51:40 +0000

this is so true!!!!!!

By: Kelsie

Kelsie — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:50:17 +0000

why? they want to feel good about themselves just as much as you do!

By: someone.

someone. — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:48:34 +0000

you dont think it will appeal guys? well not ever girl loves this either!

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:46:03 +0000

i agree completely!

By: Samantha Dunham

Samantha Dunham — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:45:18 +0000

i agree with you completely! but as a 13 year old who using texting a lot, it is hard to not use "textese" when you are forever texting.

By: Kesie

Kesie — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:42:50 +0000

i totally agree with you! u said it rite!

By: Anoymous

Anoymous — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:41:13 +0000

amen!!!!! i totally agree! when i was 12 i started worrying about stuff that a 16 year old is 2 young 2 worry abt! we need camps 2 help with boys and girls and not just us girls. i mean come on! 90% of your men are in need of some manners more than your women.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:37:12 +0000

i think that there should be a parenting school for anyone over 16. maybe then we wouldnt need etiquette camps for 10 year old kids. at 10 u should be playing with barbies and polly pocket dolls. not trying to host partys and worrying about ur posture. that can come later.

By: Renae

Renae — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:33:28 +0000

i totally agree! but kids today are so rebellios! my kids never even remember 2 clean their room much less keep their back straight and remember tht there is more to manners than please and thank you.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:29:56 +0000

if we want our kids to be mature at 16 we need these camps! at 13 i was still wearing long,frilly,pink dresses. i wish there had been 1 of these camps when i was young!

By: Samantha Dunham

Samantha Dunham — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:25:48 +0000

I am 13 and i think this is an awsome idea. I would go if i could!!! i mean a camp for learning all the stuff that i will need as i get older is totally awsome! even tho mom would never let me go, i wish tht i could.

By: ‘Wife Camp’ for 10 year olds? - Jack & Jill Politics

‘Wife Camp’ for 10 year olds? - Jack & Jill Politics — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:45:11 +0000

[...] Maccleans: It’s ‘wife camp’ for 10-year-olds Opinions are divided on a new summer camp for young [...]

By: Geo

Geo — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 08:39:16 +0000

Good manners are a must. At least the basics. An I can think of lots of things co-ed that both boys and girls would enjoy at a summer camp of poise, self-esteem, table manners, correct address, fair play, etc. etc. How about some practical stuff. at 10 to 14 they could handle real life saving first aid. Some interesting hacking of computers and how to protect against some real world viri, trojans and such. A week crewing on a tall ship. I expect this is all expensive anyway and this would be a dream thing for my kids back then. At 10 to 14 or so kids are so ready for responsibility and respect but we seldom give it to them. So we are lucky if we can get them to clean up their rooms. They deserve so much more. But not wify classes, make up and clothes, there is time for that but later, or evenings or at times when the guys are playing wii, I mean how much time can you play Barbie doll. Boring.

By: ‘Wife’ School - Would You Send Your Daughter? « Relevant Editorial

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 06:53:25 +0000

[...] Song, co-director of a music and fine arts camp in Montreal, was so impressed by the manners of a friend’s teenage daughter at a dinner party that he has started a new summer program called Make Over Camp. [...]

By: femail supported

femail supported — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:42:18 +0000

As a woman, who honestly would have benefitted from something like this when I was growing up, I do not see this a bad "anti-feminist" movement. Look at children today, we are living in a time of instant gratification, and no contact. I would love to see a school setup for boys as well as this on for girls, but this is a great idea, and about time someone set it up again.

This is a finishing school, and we need more of them.

By: Supporter

Supporter — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:56:50 +0000

Sounds like you could benefit from this school!!!

By: Supporter

Supporter — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:54:25 +0000

I agree with you 100%. I like your final statement "Perhaps she wasn't loud or opinionated, but when she did speak, people listened." Thats respect!

By: Supporter

Supporter — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:51:33 +0000

GREAT COMMENT!

By: Supporter

Supporter — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:50:08 +0000

I think this is an outstanding idea. In the past children were taught respect and proper behaviour when their parents were parenting. Today, parents are so involved with their busy life of work, and materialistic entertainments that they have "stopped parenting". Often your in the stores and restaurants where kids are running around, screaming, giggling and no discipline. This only intensifies as they get older. As far as the age group for the 'wife camp' it is targeting that most impressionable years. Grades 6 – 9 are major changes for children and are trapped in trying to figure out who they are. This 'wife camp' would provide a sense of stability. I think this would be great to be a part of educational curriculum for both females and an equivalent for males. Males can get some education on stop being abusive to women!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:39:47 +0000

Hardly. These "lazy shortcuts" will never replace face-to-face interaction. IM/SMS text has only provided another way to communicate.

By: MMM

MMM — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:17:51 +0000

Where is the finishing school for boys? I have endured rude behavior and table manners from the men that I work with for more years than I care to count.

Yes, believe it or not, men could benefit from learning to 'host the party' instead of just showing up with the 6-pack (and I'm not talking about abs).

By: Top Posts « WordPress.com

Top Posts « WordPress.com — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:23:07 +0000

[...] It’s ‘wife camp’ for 10-year-olds Two years ago, concert pianist Wonny Song attended a reception in Paris. The host’s 13-year-old daughter greeted [...] [...]

By: hosertohoosier

hosertohoosier — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:27:08 +0000

Maybe you should go to charm school, DMM

person/who is not a jerk

By: highlyirritable

highlyirritable — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:03:09 +0000

Is there a neighbouring chivalry camp I can send my son to? Why can't we just let kids be kids? At 13, you should not be worrying about entertaining adult men. That's a little too high on the creep-o-meter in my book. J http://highlyirritable.wordpress.com

By: Send Your Daughter to Wife Camp - Shudder | Strollerderby

Send Your Daughter to Wife Camp - Shudder | Strollerderby — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:05:22 +0000

[...] argue the bones of a good idea aren’t there, but the execution is absolutely awful. As one critic said, the current set up is essentially a “wife camp” for [...]

By: ABarlow

ABarlow — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:47:27 +0000

I don't agree with this at all. Children these days have far too much self-esteem and too little of anything else.

By: Jillian

Jillian — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:22:30 +0000

You know, if parents did their job, there would not be a "need" for this type of program at all. As a parent of 4 children, aged 9 – 16 (two boys, 2 girls). I made it our job as parents to ensure all of our kids learned common courtesies, posture, manners, etc. We want our kids to be good citizens who take responsibilities for themselves and their actions, while being productive and successful in their life choices.

Instead of programs like this, I honestly believe parenting skills classes should be mandatory at all schools as soon as children reach the age of puberty…if you can make a baby, you should know how to look after it!

By: felix_jones

felix_jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:06:08 +0000

It could be that you don't clamour for media attention. The stereotype will persist as long as the only feminists in the public eye are loud, humourless, shrews. That's unfortunate since most women, feminist or not ,are actually really pleasant.

By: felix_jones

felix_jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:47 +0000

I have a feeling luddites everywhere were railing against Alexander Graham Bell's invention around the turn of the century. It's so impersonal to call someone when you can walk over for a visit and speak with them face-to-face. Even Socrates wrote essays about unruly kids with their loud music and lack of manners. Some things never change.

By: Nadia

Nadia — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:17:17 +0000

Shouldn't the parents be the ones to teach their childrens appropriate manners and etiquette? Maybe there should be a finishing school for them instead of the kids.

By: Chump

Chump — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:35:40 +0000

I don't think this will be appealing to guys…

By: Jaime

Jaime — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:34:01 +0000

I think most children this age already are curious or have applied makeup -whether or not that such behavior is disapproved or discouraged. Rather than avoid the issue, or just seeing them put on make up in excess and looking completely inappropriate, it is a good idea to show them what is good on them so that they develop a sense of style and taste.

People often relate make up with vanity. We have to understand that it is a natural part of the growth process of girls. They need to learn what looks good on them, and what is good for specific occasions.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:11:45 +0000

Having good manners is important but wouldn't it be better for girls and boys to have camps to go to that improve there self esteme without turning them into jerks or snobs.