Children miss out on fun

Jul 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

WHEN is common-sense going to prevail against Political Correctness gone mad? A teacher who cannot give a crying child a cuddle, a school which cancels sports day as not complying with its health and safety policy. I even heard of one which offered counselling for those who were sports day losers!

It goes on and on, with more and more ridiculous rules from the powers that be. More paperwork for already stretched small businesses to complete. More Risk Assessments to carry out and hundreds of claim firms opening in the high streets to claim for injuries often caused by our own clumsiness, but never mind - no win, no fee!

Those who are the perpetrators of terrorism and street-crime have human rights which must be observed, whilst the victims’ rights appear to have gone, and a man can no longer protect his home and family without the risk of being punished himself.

No-one would condemn the genuine claims or sensible PC rules. We all know our children must be protected at all costs, and the world is a very different place to that in which we seniors grew up. We were not stifled of competition with our peers and could “play-out” all day in relative safety - but please, moderation in all things.

So much of the warmth, joie-de-vive and genuine neighbourliness seems to be missing from the lives of our young people these days. There can be little doubt that they are much better off materially than we ever were in those simpler times. In many ways we were poor - but on reflection, we had a richer life than today’s children will ever know, and somehow I find it very sad that in an effort to be correct, either politically or otherwise, the children of today, despite all their apparent opportunities are missing out on that essential ingredient – fun!

Elaine Short

Linthwaite