Spare The Rod And Spoil The Society 3
So, we hate our children then? Well, that’s what Sir Al Aynsley Green says anyway. In an interview with The Independent, he said.
One of the greatest challenges we have had is public attitudes to children.
This country is one of the most child unfriendly countries in the world. Just in terms of how we value children one of the most powerful examples is the Mosquito device – an ultrasonic weapon designed to stop kids gathering.
When I have been to Norway, Canada and Australia people say to me “What’s wrong with your country why do you hate children so much? You are employing an ultrasonic weapon against them. And why has your government been so spineless in not trying to stop it.
This is a very powerful symbol of what I see as a deep malaise in our society and our views towards children and especially young people. We care about kids in our own families but do we care about the kids of other people – especially those who might be disadvantaged or who might be causing trouble?
Well spotted that man, give him a prize, give him two prizes! Why do we hate other’s children but not our own though, what are the reasons for that?
The one major reason I can think of is fear.
We are afraid of being branded a paedophile if we take an interest in a child’s welfare. Not only that but we are afraid of the children themselves. What will they say? Will they hurt us? It’s not malaise that stops us caring, it’s fear.
At what point did this happen, when did we become afraid of the youth? continue reading »
