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Last broadcast on Mon, 16 Jan 2012, 10:00 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
As some schools say they're not being given a choice over becoming Academies, we hear from parents with different experiences at the schools they're involved with. How hardwired are human-beings to look on the bright side? One neuroscientist will argue that our brains have developed to ignore evidence that suggests the future might not be as rosy as we imagine. We hear why Muslim women who've been married in a religious ceremony are being urged to check whether they're legally married under the UK's civil law. Writer and academic Hermione Lee talks about the lasting appeal of American author Edith Wharton whose novel Ethan Frome is this week's Woman's Hour drama. Presented by Jane Garvey.
Academies: The parents' perspective
Schools are hitting the headlines again as four primary schools in Haringey say they’re not being given a choice over becoming Academies. We’ve heard a great deal from policy makers over Academies, but what about parents? What are their concerns if they are being told their school should become one? And what about parents of children at Academies – do they feel their children are being given chances they wouldn’t otherwise have had? Jane talks to two parents with different experiences, Stephen Burton, Parent Governor of Ormiston Victory Academy in Norwich and Susan Garrad, parent at Noel Park Primary School in Haringey in London,
Edith Wharton
The Woman’s Hour drama this week is Ethan Frome by American author Edith Wharton, born 150 years ago this month. We find out how this novel reflected her own frustrations in a very unhappy marriage. Writer and academic, Hermione Lee joins Jane to talk about the lasting appeal of this great writer.
Women and Sharia Law
Muslim women who’ve been married in a religious ceremony are being urged to check that they are legally married under the UK’s civil law. One organisation, The Muslim Women’s Network, is concerned that women who have a traditional wedding ceremony or nikah might be unaware that they will be denied legal rights to property and support that they would be entitled to unless they have a civil marriage too. We hear from one solicitor who says unregistered marriages are on the rise and discuss what it means for women with Faeeza Vaid, Exec Director MWNUK and Amra Bone, the only woman to sit on the Sharia Council.
Optimism
Are human beings naturally optimistic? In her book The Optimism Bias, neuroscientist Dr Tali Sharot believes that we are hardwired to look on the bright side, ignoring evidence that suggests the future might not be as rosy as we imagine. Jane asks Tali why she believes optimism about childrearing is essential for the survival of the human race, why we overestimate our odds of professional success, expect our children to be extraordinarily gifted, believe we will live longer than we do, and why we hugely underestimate our change of divorce, cancer and unemployment.
DR TALI SHAROT is author of 'The Optimism Bias'
Chapters
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Chapter 1
Muslim women are being urged to check they’re legally married under the UK’s civil law. With Solicitor, Aina Khan; Faeeza Viad, Muslim Women’s Network & Amra Bone, the Shaira Council.
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Chapter 2
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Chapter 3
Jane talks to parents: Susan Garrard, Noel Park Primary School, London & Stephen Burton, Parent Governor, Ormiston Victory Academy, Norwich.
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Chapter 4
The Woman’s Hour drama this week is Ethan Frome by American author Edith Wharton. Writer & academic, Hermione Lee talks about the lasting appeal of this great writer.
Broadcast
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Mon 16 Jan 201210:00
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