Simon Marcus: Listen to the children
16th August 2011
A while ago two of my students said they were going to ‘turn over’ a large house in a wealthy area near them. I asked why? They said they had it tough, they wanted a new TV, and it was something to do.
I listened, and then explained that just because they were poor they didn’t need to rob a house. I told them that I didn’t even have a TV, which amazed them. I explained to them how my Grandparents grew up in the East End during the great depression. There were few jobs, no money and no welfare. They went without food on occasion, suffered discrimination and had to deal with fascism, yet they emerged from poverty. I explained how they did it: They worked hard, sacrificed for the future, educated themselves, showed respect for the law and other people, had strong families and never gave up. The two boys looked thoughtful for a while and then one said: ‘Yes, but I never had a father to tell me that’.