Thursday, 23 October 2008

Question Time

Nice moment on Question Time just now.

Baroness Sayeeda Warsi:
"I think Lord Hattersley must be living in a parallel universe to me"

Roy Hattersley:
"I hope so!"
Posted by at

3 comments:

Pat Nurse MA said...

Another nice moment was when Baroness Warsi said : "They are my children, not the state's children.... " and she was absolutely right.
Why is it, Kerry, that parents are no longer trusted to look after their own children and to know what's best for them?
I certainly didn't have mine so that the state could take them off me... and btw, I do know a lot about teenage pregnancy.
One excellent iniative running in my county is about encouraging parents to talk about sex with their kids in an age appropriate way. This issue can be addressed by parents without heavy handed-govt/state interference.

Sat Oct 25, 12:30:00 pm
Kerry said...

But it's the state's job to educate children, generally speaking, isn't it? Given the Baroness' homophobic views, I wouldn't want to leave it to her.

Sun Oct 26, 06:28:00 pm
Pat Nurse MA said...

I wouldn't support any homophobic views and I didn't know the Baroness had such views. I still agree with her on that one point though. It's a shame I can't take all the bits I like about different politicians and lump them all into one PM!

I do think the state has far too much control over many aspects of our lives, including our children and I'd hate to see further control measures.

The state does have a role to play in HELPING parents educate their children but I feel schools do try to wield too much power over parents with an "or else.." rider if they don't do as they are told. Blackmail and bullying is a feature of the state school so it's no wonder some parents and kids rebel. If it is only the state's job to educate children, then why is it possible for parents to educate their own kids at home if they are up to the challenge?

Personally, I prefer the continental model of education of half day school for six days a week. That gives kids a strong family influence which is not available here. We lose them and all hope of influence once they start school.

I honestly think that part of the problem with today's youth is because they don't spend enough time with their parents and families and therefore don't always get the "right" sort of influence.

The school system quashes individuality and the national curriculm doesn't take account of the fact that not all children are the same, have the same interests, or learn at the same rate.

I also think that children can become problem youths because of the influences they get from other kids at school. Those that fall behind, fall into large groups, and become one entity because they haven't been encourged to be an individual.

School uniform , for example, takes away individuality and so it shouldn't be aurprise that when kids are not at school they fall into a uniform "street" gang or culture of wearing almost identical street clothes.

As far as teenage pregnancy is concerned, I can see the argument from both sides of the fence after being brought up as a good Catholic girl with a teenage parent of my own in the family.

Lincolnshire has an excellent Tackling Teen Preg unit which has done some sterling work with schools and parents and if the Govt wants to protect and educate children on this issue, then it should expand such groups further while ensuring they have the required funds to do the job adequately.

Mon Oct 27, 12:29:00 pm

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