Children in modern Britain living like 'times of Dickens'

The Telegraph ^ | Published: 10:51PM BST 09 Sep 2009 | Graeme Paton

[OldSpice]

Poverty levels in parts of Britain mirror "the times of Dickens", leaving schools struggling to cope with increasing numbers of children lacking the most basic personal skills, according to a teachers’ leader.

Some pupils from the poorest areas arrive at school unable to dress themselves or use a knife and fork, with some even unable to use a toilet properly, she said.

Lesley Ward, president of the 160,000-strong Association of Teachers and Lecturers, warned that many children were also being relied upon to raise younger brothers and sisters and lacked stable father figures in the home.

“Children who get themselves, and sometimes their younger siblings, up in the morning. Children who bring themselves to school at very young ages. Children who sometimes don’t know who will be at home when they get home – if anyone. Children who don’t know exactly who the father figure is in the home from month to month.”

She added: “I know of a pupil who actually saw, from the classroom window during a lesson, his house door being kicked in and his dad being led out of the door in handcuffs – this was during Sats week. He did not achieve the level he should have. Are we surprised?”

[gopsue]

Let’s be like Europe! They are so great! Hooray!
</sarcasm>

[Pete]

She added: “I know of a pupil who actually saw, from the classroom window during a lesson, his house door being kicked in and his dad being led out of the door in handcuffs – this was during Sats week. He did not achieve the level he should have. Are we surprised?”

There are plenty of "poor" people who teach their children personal hygiene and manners. I don't think the issue is economic as much as cultural.

[OldSpice]

You are right. The key to the mess is just this: Missing father-figures.

[Iron Munro]

Import hordes of people with an 8th century mentality from fly blown tribal areas then bemoan the fact they are unable to cope with modern culture and society.

It is going on in America too.

[dog breath]

That is what happens when people start expecting government to solve everything. They stop learning how to be responsible for themselves. In America, things considered out of date in Britain such as family, religion and a work ethic are still honored in many places. Sure I know that in places it is just as bad here, but there are those who care enough to fight the abyss. There is also the chance that things might get better even if it flickers at times like a dying candle. Private organizations and churches do more here. The huge role just of churches in poor neighborhoods is something not seen in Europe. If you are down and out, they are more likely to help you then the government. The thing that frightens me is that if the socialists have their way we will be just like Britain.

[Chickensoup]

Is it he immigrants that they are talking about.

The white underclass in GB has been falling fast.

[BenLurkin]

“basic personal skills” and poverty are two entirely different things.

Kids today are not begging for “more” gruel, and children of Dickens’s day understood good manners.

[Seruzawa]

The fools allowed socialism because they were consumed with greed and wanted “free” health care, lots of holidays, long vacations, etc. Now the inevitable results of socialism, economic ruin, are coming home to roost.

[RedMonqey]

Anyone seen Clockwork Orange?

Well if this doesn’t set the stage, then nothing will...

[keepitreal]

Some pupils from the poorest areas arrive at school unable to dress themselves or use a knife and fork, with some even unable to use a toilet properly, she said.

Guess their parents have been trained by the government to think this was the government's job.

My mom grew up really poor - her mother made it her business to make sure that her children always looked good in their one outfit by washing and starching it every night, so that no one would look down on them in school.

[iowamark]

Children who don’t know exactly who the father figure is in the home from month to month.”

Father figure!? Paternalism! How trite! How stereotypical! Send this teacher to re-education camp!

[ScottinVA]

Some pupils from the poorest areas arrive at school unable to dress themselves or use a knife and fork, with some even unable to use a toilet properly, she said.

Ah, yes.. the Pakis. This would be attributable to the fact they don't change their clothing, they eat with their hands, and crap/pee onto the ground. To the "leaders" in the UK: This is what you asked for in your drive for diversity?

[The KG9 Kid]

Some pupils from the poorest areas arrive at school unable to dress themselves or use a knife and fork, with some even unable to use a toilet properly, she said.

I thought that they were trying to ban knives in England anyway.

Anyway, this is one of those hyper-sensationalist British news articles. Pics or it didn't happen.

[Winniesboy]

The white underclass in GB has been falling fast.

If by 'falling' you mean reducing in numbers, that's certainly not the case.

[Winniesboy]

Children who bring themselves to school at very young ages.

While the other symptoms described are indeed lamentable, I'm not sure about that one. I was expected to find my own way to school (about half a mile) from the age of five, as were most of my peers. The convention that children must be escorted is a fairly recent (and regrettable) development.

[Winniesboy]

Import hordes of people with an 8th century mentality from fly blown tribal areas then bemoan the fact they are unable to cope with modern culture and society....

...Ah, yes.. the Pakis.

It would be a mistake to see this as primarily or even significantly a problem with immigrant families. Much more a symptom of the white underclass, I fear.

[Chickensoup]

If by ‘falling’ you mean reducing in numbers, that’s certainly not the case.

No, I mean falling into the morass of walking Neaderthals. For those here who support evolution, the GB underclass seems to be de-evolving.

[Winniesboy]

Fair enough

[the scotsman]

It is the white native children that are being talked about in this article.

Sadly.