Much has been said, post-riots, about the possible reasons for ‘breakdown’ Britain. Until now, I have not wanted to add my comments, but a vicious unprovoked attack against a loved one, has left me reeling and actually quite angry, so I am trying to make sense of how we have got to this state of affairs where it does seem that there is a strata in society which has a complete lack of decency, consideration for others, or a sense of responsibility for their actions. Having said this, I am aware that this only makes up a certain portion of society and it is also true that there are many good, kind people out there coming from all different backgrounds.
Although I do think that the government were right to act quickly and firmly in handing out harsh punishments after the recent riots, there is also the need to think what can be done at the ‘root’ level which will allow society to recover a sense of moral responsibility.
This is a complex issue, but I think that it starts with the family. My belief is, and I am not really sure how this could be put into practice, that families who are seen to do their best to provide a firm, secure and loving base for their children should be rewarded in some way. By the same token, and this will be very controversial, but it has to start somewhere, a system has to be put in place whereby people who are in work (whatever kind of work that is) are always going to better off, than if they were to be on benefits.
Many people tend to attack single parents, but I believe that this is not helpful. There are many single-parent families who, I know, provide loving stable families. However, as a country, we have one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancies, and personally, I do not think that there are many teenagers who are emotionally mature enough to provide good, stable parenting. So, there has to be very strong deterrent for young girls to get pregnant. This would involve encouraging them to work towards a career, and giving a very strong message that by having a baby, this would severely hamper their career or job progress. Also, I feel that it would be a really good idea to provide teenage mums with a place in a hostel with other mums, not their own flat or house. This may have the effect of putting some teenagers off the whole idea of having children.
It does seem that there is a lack of strong male role models, both at home and in early-years schooling. I was reading the other day that only one in four primary schools in the UK employ at least one male teacher, and so this would mean that a child of a single mum who is attending primary school is, in all likelihood, without a signicant male role model in his life. Who does he then have to emulate? Footballers? Pop stars? Not a great deal of moral fibre there.
I know that there is never going to be a return to the ‘traditional’ family, 2.2 children, mum at home cooking dinner, and dad out at work and I really wouldn’t want this, BUT unless we address this issue soon and make sure that children have stability and discipline in their young lives, then things will only deteriorate further.
I do realise that this blog is coming over very ‘Daily Mail’ ish, so apologies for that, but sometimes its good to rant.
On another tack, I realised the other day that, although I encourage most of my clients to set aside a half hour each day for self-hypnosis. I havn’t been doing this myself and thought that it would be particularly beneficial after the recent upset, so I have decided to get back into the habit of practising this each day. I know that it reaps benefits, in allowing all the stresses and anxieties to ‘mulch’ down, so enabling a new sense of peace and calm. You can also address specific issues, but writing down a clear, simple affirmation beforehand and repeating it to yourself several times, just before the self-hypnosis. Until you try this, you really have no idea of how good it makes you feel, particularly if you keep the habit going longer term.
I would welcome any of your comments to my blog, but in the meantime, all the best,
Wendy x
