It would take a dozen Skivvies

One of the things that present a constant source of difficulty in my work is trying to get people to consider the idea of change.

Change in their lifestyle, change in their circumstances, change in their behaviour, change (important) in their attitudes.

This is all very well in the abstract. Much has been written and talked about just how one does create an environment in which people can consider properly the idea of change.

Trouble is, I’m working on a template of people’s behaviour and attitudes (that is often) shaped by many years of inattention, paucity of intellect and really really poor parenting by the baby boomer generation, of which (I guess) I’m one.

Many young people, therefore, know very little about Nursery Rhymes.
Incy wincy spider, Mary Mary quite contrary and Round and Round the garden are all areas of ignorance and mystery to them.

Attachment theory talks very clearly about the shared experience of parents and their children in the bonding process of the first five years of a child’s life. This process (amongst other things) promotes self-confidence, self-knowledge and the clear ability to develop an internal locus of control over aberrant behaviour.

My overwhelming experience of “troubled” 17 plus people these days is that, instead of any signs of proper attachment, I experience in them, a black hole of memory, only partially filled with the Play Station nightmare, the prurient media intrusion and the overwhelming desire to “have it”. All these ( in JVIP’s view) driven by unconscionable multi-nationals, crap sociology and dodgy advertising.

These “shelf fillers” represent no substitute for a Parent’s love and the day-to-day minutia of effective childcare do they ?

So……………..when Pip tells me she is thinking of taking a new interest in (goodness) Football. I just worry. Like my group members, trying to fill backwards a lifetime of cerebral neglect in the beautiful game may well end in tears. For example, cut to last night and a conversation taking place over a shared hot bath, “Did you know?” (She say’s) “The Spurs are a Jewish team?”

Maybe (some would say) stupidly, I’m up for this awakening in her…..but

In the interests of happiness, stability and long-lived love, your fact of the day, today, Pip is, …..
That under no circumstances whatsoever, will I countenance any fondness, any alliance or indeed any connection with The Arsenal and all other works of the devil.

I thank you !

JVIP