Frank Furedi

[Ali Admin]

Some really interesting articles by Frank Furedi, author of Paranoid Parenting.

Why moral opportunists are exploiting this tragedy (Baby P)

Paranoid parenting

When politicians try to be parents, families lose out

...and lots more articles on parenting.

He doesn't think much of the NSPCC either!

[Diane]

Thanks muchly for posting this, Ali. I hadn't seen anything by Frank before and I am so heartened by reading his sensible comments. It feels like I've found a friend.

Additionally, and rather strangely, I was having a cosy chat with a friend I've not seen much for some years today. She told me that her eldest (now 18) had been diagnosed with depression in Year 11. He got help but, apparently, the head teacher of the school he was going to hated him and regularly screamed and shouted at him. I was horrified. Then she told me that her poor lad revealed some months later that the head had shouted that he had 'bad parents.' Unbelievable. K. tries her level best to do everything she can for her children and is a darn good mother. It is this pathologising and problematising of parenthood that has spread through society like venom through arteries that is having an effect.

I'd like to ask teachers how they imagine parents can be at fault when they, the teachers, see more of the children of our society than their parents do. When school itself is an inimical institution, and children fight back with their few weapons, one of which is disobedience, a head teacher has the nerve to shout to one depressed young lad that he has 'bad parents.'

I'm pleased I'm not part of it anymore. But I can see that the poor boy was traumatised by his schooling. He is a fine boy, not easily cowed and pushed into believing what everyone else believes and following the crowd. He was doomed the instant he crossed the school playground to walk inside.

And the head teacher was an emotional abuser, and, in a loving society, he wouldn't be let near our delicate young people.

Diane