THE ETHICIST TAP : SCHOOL & PARENTS [A] [2]

MORALLY speaking - Parents are not just permitted but required to have special concern for their own children. Yet that partiality is limited by general moral duties.

I can give toys to my children without feeling guilty about not giving them to other children. But I can't steal toys from my neighbor's children to do so. Rightful partiality does not justify depriving other children of their proper share.

Accordingly, we have an obligation to respect reasonable rules of fairness in the institutions we engage with.

If a school would normally allocate students to teachers in a roughly fair manner - considering all children's interests equally - then pressuring the school to violate these procedures for your child's advantage crosses an ethical line.

As you note, though, the school faces a dilemma. Affluent parents provide valuable resources that benefit all students, including those from lower income families.

Losing those affluent families would deprive the school of more than just money; it could diminish overall opportunities for every enrolled student.

Administrators might justify minor-rule bending to retain such families, and thus maintain diversity and resources for everyone. [ Less affluent families, while part of that diversity, typically, lack the leverage to threaten withdrawal ]

The Answer Publishing continues to Part [3]