Protecting Our Children

[B00]

Did anyone watch this last night?

I watched it open mouthed, incredulous from beginning to end. Please tell me these kind of people (the parents I mean) are not becoming the norm for our future generations?

[B00]

You think it's fascinating OJ? I found it scary, sad and downright depressing all at the same time.

[ummmm]

He had a hole in them and couldn't find a needle and thread. So he tried to staple the hole!!! Apparently he didn't realise it shot out staples so fast.

[B00]

Did no one else, watching it, think "My child is growing up possibly surrounded by people like this, and 'mi scared"..?

I sometimes think that if I watch Jeremy Kyle too!

[ojread2]

Yeah, just thoroughly all of the above comments rolled into one
Sad, definitely, for the children
I agree it is showing how the cycles repeat themselves over and over

[ummmm]

I'm watching both at the same time....lol

To be honest....no, I'm not worried.

[ojread2]

No Boo, I'm not worried about my child growing up surrounded by people like this
Children are influenced more in their formative years and what they are taught then remains with them for the rest of their lives. Of course they may well fall into the 'bad circles' but essentially they remain the same which is why you get this cycle of neglectful parenting
What you teach your children is what remains the staple of their lives

[China Doll]

Nah... I don't worry about it. But then I'm not a parent so it's hardly suprising!

[Meg888]

I've watched both of these. I have to say, they make me feel very sad and angry. As Ummm said, it's a vicious cycle of abuse, which is repeating itself. As someone who was brought up in the care system from a tot right through to independant living, I'm a strong believer in the cycle can be broken if there is the right guidance in place for people at a time when they need it. Despite being moved around a lot when young, I was lucky enough to meet and be taken care of by some dedicated people, and I appreciate wholly the job and difficult decisions which have to be made by social workers. In saying that, however, I believe a part of society has become blameless, due to people not being held accountable for their actions nor their responsibilities and the benefit and judicial system does not help. I just hope a government who has the answers can, one day be elected to sort the mess out, as I only see it as getting worse.

[B00]

No I know that OJ, perhaps I didn't get across what I really meant.

So here goes, and I'm aware I sound horribly snobby (sorry), but....I don't even want my child to even be associated or near people like that...EVER, not even within earshot. I'm bringing her up as well as I know how, and she knows what's right and wrong etc, i'm not worried about that aspect, its even meeting people like this im scared of.

[ojread2]

That's not snobby, boo, quite the opposite IMO
I agree, but there is nothing we can do to stop it
Maybe we could look at it from another side? If our children are around 'these people' perhaps what ours children are saying and doing is rubbing off on them?
There are too many to completely avoid them, you only have to walk along any high street today to see that

[Meg888]

@ Boo: I don't think you do sound snobby, you're just protective which is natural. As long as you continue to protect, nurture and instill the right morals etc, your child will no doubt come across parts of society like this, but will learn to do the right thing.

[ummmm]

Well I've just watched the end and sobbed.

Meg, can you imagine what life was like for some before social services?

[B00]

"you only have to walk along any high street today to see that "

Yes sadly OJ, you're right, hence my really really wanting to pack off to a remote (ish) island somewhere, far away from them all! LOL.

I know Meg, it just really terrifies me, it really does. And yes I know im a also a softy!

[hc4361]

And no doubt we'd have been upset if it were the lives of the parents as youngsters we were watching.

[ummmm]

Maybe I'm just not observant because I don't notice people like this..!

[ummmm]

hc - most certainly. Probably even worse...

[ladybirder]

I posted on this programme last night but only got one response.

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1103498.html

The programme filled me with dread from beginning to end. There are too many people like these and I fear that the girl is probably pregnant again. My daughter gives therapeutic care to neglected and abused children so I hear lots of these sorts of instances. So very sad for all concerned.

[B00]

oh im sorry ladybirder, didn't see your post about it, or I wouldn't have posted about it again.

And again ladybirder, kudos to your daughter for doing a job like that, as I really couldn't.

[ladybirder]

B00 sweetie thank you but I didn't think you'd done it on purpose. No worries. Your daughter could become a role model for others who just can't cope, who don't know any better/different. I am concerned about what happens to the children who have been in my daughter's (and others like her) care when they pass out into the big wide world. It's frightening especially in these times of austerity when money is tight and perhaps the support isn't in place for them any more.

[hc4361]

So far in this series the parents have been neglectful, hopeless, clueless, selfish, uneducated, lazy but I don't think sadistically cruel.
These families usually come to the attention of the authorities very quickly - sometimes they are already in the social services system before the mother is pregnant.

I worry more about the abused children who are invisible to the authorities because the parents are educated, self supporting and know how to put on a 'good show'. It can be years before cruelty or neglect is detected.