Our Kids Tough Enough?

[lindapalmara]

Rude, bone idle and cosseted by the State

I haven't actually seen this program get as I tend to watch all episodes together but I have seen the trailers and was horrified.

I spent 5 years in Hong Kong and had a job teaching English to young children. I was very impressed by the discipline shown by both parents and teachers. The children were polite, beautifully behaved, wanted to learn and did, quickly and with no disruption. The parents were all keen on giving their children a good education because their culture does not include hand outs and choices whether to work or claim from the state.

http://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/08/03/uk-school-kids-rude-bone-idle-and-cosseted-by-welfare-state-say-chinese-teachers/

[youngmafbog]

They reckon its all down to our easy benefits system.

Seems our welfare state is at the heart of many of our problems, kids, immigrants, loafers ......

[maggiebee]

I must admit that I am disappointed when I hear of programmes like this. I taught English to children in Albania. They were all as you described, polite, well behaved and they really wanted to learn as they see education as the way forward. The parents were right behind their children as they had to pay for this "additional" education. Education is not seen as very important to many in this country. Why would they when they live on hand outs from the state?

[ummmm]

I'm so sick of people slating our youngsters.

You really think they aspire to claim benefits?

[lindapalmara]

Mmmmmm. Short answer, a lot of them do!

[pixie374]

I don't know any that do. Mostly adults that I can think of.

[ummmm]

I don't know any that do.

[lindapalmara]

It's not so much slating the youngsters as slating the system and parents. Teaches not able to discipline pupils when even constraint of an unruly is seen as an assault. Huge numbers of teachers are being assaulted by children under 12. I could go on!

[Retrochic]

My kids aren't cosseted by the welfare state! The only child I know who's mum is on benefits (single lives in social housing) is a cracking teenager who wants to be a stock broker.

[RandyMarsh]

All the 16 - 20 year olds i know are either in higher education or working.

[ummmm]

Or both, Randy. My 16 year old is currently doing 2 jobs.

[pixie374]

47% of long-term unemployed people are over 50...

http://www.saga.co.uk/newsroom/press-releases/2015/feb/almost-half-of-the-long-term-unemploymed-are-aged-over-50.aspx

[maggiebee]

I'm not slating youngsters in any way. I feel it is the parents who are failing them. In the area I work in, we are now into 4th generation unemployed and it is very difficult to motivate youngsters when they have no role models. Often the behaviour they exhibit is what they see at home unfortunately.

[Retrochic]

The parents of long term unemployed teach their children well. How to get Benefits, how to get social housing, how to flog stolen goods and what to say when they get arrested. These are however the minority and all young people should not be classed the same.

[ummmm]

A small minority. Most of the pubs, shops, restaurants, are staffed by young people....especially weekends because they are probably in education during the week.

[maggiebee]

Not classing everyone the same Retro - my 17 year old grandson has just got his exam results - 5 "highers" or whatever they are called these days. He also holds down 2 jobs, goes to Army Cadets and the BB and is currently at Scripture Union camp for the week. What he does have that probably helps is good role models for parents.

[ummmm]

Most parents are good role models, it's a only a few that aren't.

[maggiebee]

Ha ha ummmm, love your jokes.

[ummmm]

Do you live in a cave or something?

[maggiebee]

No, I'm a teacher ummmm so have seen it all.

[youngmafbog]

// Most of the pubs, shops, restaurants, are staffed by young people..//

Yes, mainly polite and courteous Eastern Europeans.

Of course this does not apply to all kids. However the number it does apply to is far too large and is on the increase. Our exam results compared to China rather show this.

You can stick your head in the sand and just let that 'minority' drift into a life of Welfare or do something about it. Personally I am all for taking the bull by the horns and improving life for all.