The UK has traditionally been awful at bringing up children, not all obviously but as a society we have not valued our children properly, the rich sent them to boarding schools, whilst the poor banned them from pubs and phrase ‘children should be seen and not heard’ was commonplace. The Childrenss Commissioner has just declared ‘a national emergency’ regarding the provision for children – a maximum score of 960 points assessed exam results, living conditions, play areas, spending by youth services, safety, amongst many others. the worst place to be a child in the UK was Middlesbrough, although Somerset was amongst the most challenging areas, and yes there is a north – soutn split in the map produced in the Observer (click on the Observer ) where you can enter a post code for results. Any measure for a particular area can be taken out of proportion, BUT the map reveals that children are subject to a post code lottery in many parts of the country. This maybe an European thing, as France is rioting regarding the need to improve schooling (we riot about a few immigrants in Britain who keep the economy going!).
But it is good to raise the profile of how we treat children. Austerity revealed the lack of vision and empathy for children – 800 libraries have closed since 2010, and 500 swimming pools – cutting facilities for children was easy, rich wankers could buy their own books and enrol at private health clubs with swimming pools. My girls were avid readers from the library – my son less so, but all enjoyed the swimming pool, the municipal tennis courts of my youth had long since disappeared to become upmarket tennis clubs. So how has Britain treated its children – it has taken away their enjoyment of cheap pleasures, in education the introduction of exams every 3 years has meant failure spelt out for many, Then they have an uncertain future, the job market is rapidly changing with minimum wage and zero option contracts common, university fees are ridiculously high, apprenticeships not yet valued. They will need to save approximately £15000 to get on the housing ladder, and without inheritance that is nigh on impossible.
Basically we just need to give children the respect they deserve and actually really listen to them. My favourite comment from TED talks was of the speaker visiting a school and asking a little girl what she was drawing – the answer ‘God” – his response was ‘but no one knows what he/her looks like – her response was worthy of a Nobel prize and will live with me forever – ‘they soon will!”
And whilst on the very positive – the UK economy is doing fine despite the shambles left by the last government – not a whiff of positive comments in the RWSunday papers. Also positive was the arrest and release on bail of a Reform Mayor for showing an employee a picture of his penis – presumably erect like the little knob he is!
Other than that I have not a lot to say, I have moved most herbs into the greenhouse and conservatory – both smell lovely, next week should have showers and possibly proper rain – but not prolonged.