Quote:
Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington
No, Anne, I don't think I am missing the point.
And I am well aware that not all children have caring families.
It didn't appear to be about having no hope, it appeared that these children were unhappy because they didn't have sky TV, or the latest designer gear......these are not children living on benefits because most of these children, although living on benefits, seem to have all the modern gadgets. These are material things. Things which are not necessary to health and well-being.
Food and shelter is necessary(or it is as far as I am concerned).
As for schooling....there is no need in this country for children to go without schooling...in fact it is illegal to keep children away from school...they are required by law to attend. Now, as to what they make of that schooling is another matter. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink....you can give a child schooling but you can't make it think....and that is where the difference lies.
I would take issue with you about being poor and having good prospects........poor people do not have good prospects unless they make those prospects for themselves. Poor people start the race already hobbled by their background.
Anyway the study said 9% were unhappy. This must mean that 91% were happy.......and in my book that is a result.
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I appreciate and agree with what you are saying, I am speaking from my own professional experience, which is mainly working with the most socially excluded young people in society and their families. Food and shelter are the most basic of human needs, unfortunately a proportion of the young people I encounter are not privy to such luxuries. A further number of them have inadequate parents who are unable to provide adequately for their children. And as for there being a legal requirement to attend school, if children do not fit in with the educational environment they may find themselves with no more than one hour one to one tuition per week as a maximum.