ABSTRACT
This chapter explains Mozert v Hawkins and provides a brief account of two more recent cases from the Supreme Court of Canada. It explains the dispute between political liberalism and autonomy liberalism and the role this dispute plays in framing cases such as Mozert. The chapter examines both the idea of parents' political authority over children's education and the notion of parents' substantive right to control their children's education. It argues that parental authority over education must be seen as pragmatic; it cannot ground the claims made in Mozert. The chapter deals with personal autonomy. It contends that autonomy liberals should accept a somewhat deflated concept of personal autonomy. The chapter examines the argument that diversity-oriented civic education is required for the teaching of tolerance or political respect. It suggests that extensive engagement with moral and religious difference, through reading or course content, is not necessary at the elementary school level.
