Leave them kids alone

November 12th, 2007 Written by Biz

Death is good for you…well almost. At least that is what the CO of York Garrison seemed to be saying to us on a cold, dark, rainy and windy day back in 1988. I remember it as clearly as if it were yesterday; I had just volunteered to go on a ‘top rope and abseiling’ instructors course…which actually made little sense for me, as I have always been mortally afraid of heights.
 

We were standing outside on the parade square, shivering as the cold rain dripped relentlessly down into our collars; the Co had been addressing us for some time before my wondering mind was brought back to reality with a start.
 

“Adventure training courses build character by introducing an element of risk; of pain, of injury and even of death…now go and train hard and enjoy yourselves”
 

Well it was somewhat badly phrased, but actually, what the inarticulate CO was trying to say was that knocks and bumps, trials and tribulations…and even injuries can be positive life enhancing experiences on the road to the building of moral character, inner resolve and to engendering a self–sufficient attitude within ones life.
 

Contrast these age old principles then, to the current nanny state perceived wisdom in child development and you will notice an increasing absence of the very principles that will help our children to grow and develop into well rounded adults. In their stead, you will notice an increase in the sterile, limp wrested and insipid ‘wrap them in cotton wool’ philosophy so beloved by the liberal elite who have increasingly managed to legislate themselves control over our lives.
 

Just look at some of the character building activities that are either banned or severely restricted:
 

• Playing Conkers.
• Playing in the snow.
• Throwing snowballs.
• Competitive games.
• Climbing trees.
• Rough and tumble in the playground.
• Restrictions on the use of games apparatus.
• Children innocently playing with toy guns outside their homes (as we all used to).
• Scouts not being allowed to carry camping knives anymore and having small groups camping in tents and campfires, curtailed.

 

The list is endless, but I would put it to you, that by denying our children these simple but immeasurably valuable pursuits, the soft, mollycoddled purveyors of nancy boy childcare philosophies are doing permanent damage to our children. There is a fine line between making our children as safe as is necessary (which I wholeheartedly support) and in making them as safe as is possible…a distinction that these lame brained idealists have missed totally.  
 

Although it is a somewhat simplistic, but nonetheless empirical and thus valid comparison, just look back to times when children were given free reign to pursue un-interrupted rough and tumble character building pursuits; they generally turned out to be fine adults. Compare them to today’s generation of inarticulate, antisocial, hoodie-wearing, half-human rejects…the product of a soft, undisciplined liberal upbringing and you will find ample proof of my point.
 

The trouble with poncy liberal philosophies is that they are introduced gradually; so that by and by they permeate our consciousness until they have crept up on us from behind. These philosophies on childcare are now in the mainstream, and the tragic thing is that many people are taken in by them…people who should know better. It is, however, every parent’s duty to wake up, resist these stupid notions and if at all unsure on the correct way to proceed with their children…just think back to their own childhoods for guidance and let their own children have the same happy childhood experiences that they themselves had.
 

In short, stand up and don’t accept things for your children that you instinctively know to be wrong; by doing this you will ensure a happy childhood and bright future for your child. To paraphrase Pink Floyd, “hey liberals, leave them kids alone”.
 

Entry Filed under: Rants & Views