Tonight was my youngest child's open house at school with the rigamarole that goes with it, including signing multiple forms (for Title I, allowed pickups, etc,), and were sent home the annual flu mist consent form. This program has been voluntary in our school system for several years, but the pressure to get the students to get the forms filled out (preferably with a yes) has increased greatly over the past several years (even bribing kids with extra credit) in order to get 100% form return (and 100% participation). The form this year (which I will get to later) differs subtly from the previous year, and in a somewhat manipulative way.
First, here is one of the original forms
2008-2009 Flu Mist Form
2011-2012 Flu Mist Form
2012-2013 Flu Mist Form
2013-2014 Flu Mist Program
Now we come up to this year's form:
2013-2014 Flu Mist Form
You see that subtle change? Let me highlight it for you:
Ah...add this social responsibility guilt factor. Yes, I want to be a good guy and save everyone or No, I want to be a selfish bastard and not have my kids immunized. Maybe that is what it will say next year.