what do you think??

[slinky]

We Can't Be Prissy About Helping'


Expectant mothers whose unborn babies have been judged to be at risk of criminal behaviour and social exclusion are to be targeted under a new Government scheme.

Tony Blair has met with healthcare workers who will be piloting the Nurse-Family Partnership, which aims to help break a cycle of disadvantaged families by identifying those most in need of support early on.

The Prime Minister has rejected suggestions the scheme will stigmatise poor mothers, saying the country can't afford to be "prissy" about intervening to improve a child's life.

"If, for example, you have got a very young mother-to-be who is 15, 16 or 17-years-old and isn't living at home, it is pretty obvious that that is someone who has got certain challenges about to confront them in their lives," Mr Blair told the meeting at Downing Street.


"The important thing is to realise that of course we are going to have to take action in circumstances where the family-to-be will need that action .... and you can spend much more money, quite apart from more time and energy, trying to catch up later."
Under the scheme, mothers will receive advice on diet, exercise and parenting skills.


The news comes after the Children's Commissioner said Britain was one of the worst countries in the developed world in which to be a child.
Sir Al Aynsley-Green warned of a "crisis at the heart of British society" in the way children are treated by adults.
He said he was angry that adults frequently "demonise" children while vulnerable young people continue to die through poverty and neglect.
Mr Blair admitted that despite the Government's efforts, the most disadvantaged families were still falling through the net.
But Mr Blair said the Nurse-Family Partnership was designed to "reach the most vulnerable at an early enough stage to be able to make a difference".

[Jason]

Why should Tony Blair give a ****...........he'll be out in a couple of weeks!

[slinky]

"If, for example, you have got a very young mother-to-be who is 15, 16 or 17-years-old and isn't living at home, it is pretty obvious that that is someone who has got certain challenges about to confront them in their lives," Mr Blair told the meeting at Downing Street.

This is the part that got me. I was only nearly 17 when I had my first baby and I was married to their father and still am after 11 years.( yes I know...I don't waste time) lol. My child wasn't born into poverty and was and is very much loved as is his younger brother who I had when I was 19. Ok I was young, but that didn't make me a bad mother. And I worked and still do, and so did their father and still does.

And I think any mother young or old will tell you " certain challenges" lie ahead when you enter parenthood.

[Jason]

There we go on about THE MOTHER!!!!..............what about the FATHER!!!!....THERE ARE SINGLE FATHERS OUT THERE!

[slinky]

Originally Posted by Jason

There we go on about THE MOTHER!!!!..............what about the FATHER!!!!....THERE ARE SINGLE FATHERS OUT THERE!

OH I do apologise.......It's because Tony Blair only mentioned the scheme for expectant mothers......I suppose they could do one for expectant fathers.

I am well aware fathers bring their children up alone. My uncle brings 3 girls and a boy up on his own.....and a fine job he does to.

[WillowTheWhisp]

It does sound rather patronising. It also annoys me the way they assume that poverty will automatically lead to crime. There are plenty of people who are not well off but don't go round bashing old ladies over the head and nicking their pension. I was an older mother (mine are still only 13 and 16) and yet I faced my own sort of challenges too.

[hayleylynagh]

Ok, this is a sore point with me....Why are parents from socially deprived backgrounds/ low income families or single parent families singled out as a cause for the problems in our society. How about setting up a scheme to offer support to any parent(s) who ask for it!!
My point is.........I know I have done as well as, and in some cases, better than many financially stable/two parent families that I know
I was a young parent, I have brought both of my children up alone with no support from the father, but they are both intelligent, clean, well cared for and aspire to own their own businesses....I am definiately not super human and have had many challenges to face (I apologise now to my mother :notworthy:)I have just done the best I could do. Parenting is difficult for everyone no matter what their social position is and surely assistance should just be offered to anyone who has the guts to say " I need help"
What do you all think?????

[WillowTheWhisp]

I think you're absolutely right Hayley.

[takersbabe]

Originally Posted by hayleylynagh

Ok, this is a sore point with me....Why are parents from socially deprived backgrounds/ low income families or single parent families singled out as a cause for the problems in our society. How about setting up a scheme to offer support to any parent(s) who ask for it!!
My point is.........I know I have done as well as, and in some cases, better than many financially stable/two parent families that I know
I was a young parent, I have brought both of my children up alone with no support from the father, but they are both intelligent, clean, well cared for and aspire to own their own businesses....I am definiately not super human and have had many challenges to face (I apologise now to my mother :notworthy:)I have just done the best I could do. Parenting is difficult for everyone no matter what their social position is and surely assistance should just be offered to anyone who has the guts to say " I need help"
What do you all think?????

couldnt agree more hun i brought 3 up more or less on my own and it was hard but rewarding and not one of my kids have ever been in trouble my eldest is almost 16 hes a good lad an aspiring musician im very proud of my lot

[accymel2006]

Originally Posted by Jason

There we go on about THE MOTHER!!!!..............what about the FATHER!!!!....THERE ARE SINGLE FATHERS OUT THERE!

I do agree as much as there are waste of space fathers there are waste of space mothers too.

[accymel2006]

Totally agree with Hayley been a lone parent 8 1/2 years & think ive done a good job - very hard as much as parenting can get at times with no backup, broke & being outnumbered, but lone parents get the scape goat stereotyped as 3rd class citizens, i know a lot of them whom work damn hard & do their utmost as parents....there my mini rant hehehehe.

But i think it should be open to all types of family circumstances, there is a lot of middle class whom no need or reason in theory to get into trouble or turn bad etc, unfair to label family groups, but would be more useful if this gov with help & support to parent[s] of children that are going wayward cos at that time they will need it the most before it escalates. No way can these people judge a parent at time of pregnancy who would make it who wont - because as owt in life its subject to change & judgments without proof are wrong, somebody who looks the part - may fail as much as someone who looks rough - may pass, hard to tell on assumptions