A furious mother has threatened to confront her daughter's primary school after the six-year-old was given what she calls a 'disgusting' and 'backward' role in the Christmas nativity performance.
'I'm Itching to Call Them Out'
Taking to the popular parenting forum Mumsnet, the parent explained she was left feeling angry and disappointed. Her daughter had been cast specifically as 'the Innkeeper's wife'. The mum, who is normally relaxed about school matters, argued that no woman or girl should be identified solely by her relationship to a man.
"This is not OK!" she fumed in her post. "I'm itching to call them out on this. Itching. This is how casual everyday feminism gets perpetuated by people not calling people out on this stuff." She added that it bothered her that in a core learning environment, such portrayals could go unchallenged.
Online Backlash: 'You're Being Ridiculous'
While the mother found some supporters for her feminist stance, a significant portion of the online reaction accused her of overreacting. Many commentators pointed out the historical context of the nativity story, which is set over 2000 years ago.
One blunt user responded: "I am itching to tell you that you are being unbelievably ridiculous." Another agreed, stating: "I don't get the issue here I'm afraid. The play is set over 2000 years ago when women were somebody's wife."
Other parents suggested she should be grateful her child had a speaking human role at all, with one revealing: "It's not so bad - my son was usually livestock." A fifth user cheekily proposed a compromise: "I agree with you. She should be referred to as the Innkeeper's significant other. If not, insist your daughter is recast as a sheep."
A Broader Context of School Play Stress
This festive drama emerges alongside other reports of stress surrounding school Christmas productions. The article references a separate incident where a nine-year-old boy ran away from school to avoid taking part in his play.
That child, who had successfully worked on lighting the previous year, was this time being forced to perform on stage in front of an estimated 100 parents. His extreme action highlights the anxiety these events can provoke in some children, adding another layer to the debate about the pressure and roles assigned in school performances.
The mother at the centre of the 'Innkeeper's wife' row is now considering whether to raise the issue formally with the headteacher, leaving her torn between her principles and the potential of being seen as a difficult parent.
