I do not disagree that a parent is in the position to be the biggest influence to a child, however the development of a child's academic ability, social interaction skills (with other children etc) are developed in different areas of society.Children are exposed to a lot of different situations in different environments, these experiences within society play a major role with development.
Although they are exposed to our views, ideas etc, they are also exposed to a great deal more from a very young age. Once a child reaches school age they spend a lot of waking hours with other people during what is a very influential age.

I guess it depends how much time parents spend discussing the various influences.

There you go with your generalisations again, from your phrase sink estate, I know a leading solicitor, 6 nurses, a doctor, oh and a vet to name a few..I also from one of these estates is educated to degree level.
I also know a politicians son who is a crack head

You specifically stated that non-parental influences are greater than parental influences, which is what I disagreed with. What you state above is different. I still disagree with most of it, though.

Let's take academic ability. Leaving aside natural potential (all children are not born with the same potential), parents play a crucial role here. From engendering the correct attitudes to learning and achievement to supporting the child at home and even providing additional learning opportunities, parents have a huge role to play. Almost without exception the highest achieving children have supportive and involved parents, and vice versa.

Social interaction is again hugely influenced by parents. If a child has had quality interaction with it's parents from an early age it is far more likely to develop successful interaction with both peers and other adults.

Parents also have an important role in mediating outside influences and ensuring that children are equipped to be properly critical of information and experiences they encounter in their 'outside' lives.

Perhaps most importantly, a good parent is constantly aware (as much as is possible) of what their children are interested in and what they are doing. They talk to them about important issues. In short, they properly prepare them to deal with life and instil them with the correct attitudes.

The groundwork laid at a very early age has a continuing influence throughout the life of a child.

Im speaking from experience, as are you, take your head out of your and respond to the post, not the username.

OK

by the way, which estates, if you're talking estates in Hull then there are NO sink estates, I doubt you have much experience of true depravation.

Your post is indeed correct, clearly your parenting responsibilities and mine are the same..however maybe I have not put my point across very well, I am with you that parents play an influential role with the development of their child,and set the platform, some more than others. However different environments and people play a bigger role in the development, a more diverse role, nursery, schools, adults, peers, various activities and different groups all count for the experiences of the child, they are exposed to varying influences, attitudes and values, they will interact with hundreds of people, and encounter hundreds of different situations many times without the parents presence and influence, this all contributes to a child development and helps to form the child's own ideas and attitudes.

I have a lot of experience..My degree is in Social & Behavioural Studies, I have not just read about it I have seen it. However not sure what good that is with people like you who know every-thing about everything

You know, this is a really interesting debate and it reminded me of my mother. She had a big personality and my decision-making was greatly influenced by how I thought she would react. She died when my son was one year old and I was saddened that she would never see him grow up or that he would never be positively influenced by her. It was soon evident as he became a toddler that some of his expressions and mannerisms were the same as hers (i.e. mine)... she was still influencing him because of the bearing she had had on my development. So I think parental influence goes beyond the current generation either directly or indirectly.

Characteristics are often transferred to various members of the family..If I had a £1 every-time my husband says "God your like your Nanna"

she was a strong willed outspoken female! however I must admit I do admire these characteristics in a female.

have you seen it though, or just read about it?

I think this is getting close to being personal, and there is no reason for it to become so. I have been involved in social housing in Glasgow, which is where the worst examples I have seen are drawn from, I dont claim to know everything, but I do know the facts I have borne witness to, as you attest to the same.

You're not a parent so no matter what experience you have you can't understand what a parent goes through. It's not a criticism it's just the way it is. Kids change you and your outlook on life, you won't feel the same way if you have not had your own kids.

Being kept in hospital for more than 24 hours is RIDDOR reportable, doesnt make a difference how you arrived.

As I posted I have seen a lot of deprivation, first hand, also I have done voluntary work/research with groups who encounter various degrees of suffering within society whilst I was studying.

This is not getting personal for me, however I suggest you read your posts, this may offer you an insight into the replies/reactions you get. I enjoy debating/discussing various topics with posters as the majority whether they agree or disagree appear to have the skills to debate/discuss, and know when to agree to disagree without it getting stupid.

again, I ask where you have seen it, it provides context.

You are unreal, I would have not had a problem with providing you with an answer,however it provides context for what ? my honesty ? your judgment?
This may come as a shock but your own opinions/feelings on what even constitues deprivation do not qualify you to access if some-one has seen deprivation first hand. Your opinions of all people living on 'sink estates'(your term) who all get pregnant etc, display nothing more to me than ignorance. You may have found a documentary interesting which was on Channel 4, the documentary involved a guy(Kevin McCloud I believe, living in the slums in India, a place full of depravation, however what shocked the him most was how organised and happy these people were.
I really have no desire to discuss this issue with you any-more.

Completely OT, but what a fantastic documentary that was

I think what he's trying to get at is that the term sink estate is used too freely. I live on Bransholme. I tend to say that I live on Dorchester Road, not because I'm a snob, but because people generally think that Bransholme is rough and that's it's inhabitants are generally law breakers and layabouts.

The truth is very different. Every house on my row has people who go out to work, the kids go to school and are all a good bunch who we all keep an eye on when they're larking out. I often get tarred with the 'Estate' brush which really annoys me. I live on Bransholme because the house we bought was a good price for a good size. I know of people who have sold their overpriced rabbit hutches on Kingswood and bought a house near us for half the price and almost double the size.

It's postcode snobbery, simple as.

Getting to the above point...where I live has been called a sink estate in the past. In reality it is VERY far from it.

I lived on Bransholme from the age of 14-24 so I totally agree and understand your post, I live down the road now Suton Park(Known affectinately as Branshome with double galzing

) purely as I considered the property as an investment opprotunity but still share your postcode HU7..sadly a lot of attitudes towards various aspect in society are snobbery and ignorance, the trouble is I should know better and just post my view and have done, but in my defence it is a topic I am passionate about. Apologise if I have bored the pants off people though with my rants

Well at least you've apologised



Just kidding. I agree with a lot of what you're saying but also disagree with a few (basically what Kosh pointed out).

Fair point Kosh as usual raises some very valid and interesting points when he is discussing/debating.

Try "North West Sutton"

Spot on Karen.

I'll start the day with an apology to anyone I've offended with my comments, it hasn't been my intention.

There are actually very few sink estates remaining in the UK, some areas of Glasgow are still as bad as ever, as are some inner city estates in London, a small part of Leeds and an equally small part of Sheffield, interestingly the thing that has helped us improve these areas has been, by and large, sport, or the EU. I tend to get angry when people start telling me text books and degrees are worth more than 8 years of working amongst social problems first hand, if you've ever been collecting rent in the Gorbals then you really HAVE seen a sink estate (well, it was at the time, but even that area has improved)

ANYWAY - Hudgell, desperate?, I think so!

Wonder if he'll be on the babys feet case this morning