Children Worse Off In Dis-United Kingdom

The heat wave continues in the South of England.
Down here in South Gloucestershire on our little allotment the water butts are getting low, but the plants are growing well.
The situation of the children of the Dis-United Kingdom is not quite so rosey, according to the reports filed at the UN by the Childrens' Commissionars.
As we reclined on our old deckchairs at lunchtime in the shade of Nosher's battered old allotment shed, the conversation turned to what had happened to the nation's children.
'If you pay people to find a problem' Nosher asserted 'they'll be sure to find it. Note that the measure of poverty they're using is relative poverty, not absolute poverty.'
'But there are people who are genuinely badly off' I protested 'such as families with disabled children, and such children seem to be getting bullied worse than ever before in the schools they attend. There's something going wrong here.'
Nosher took another bite out of his sandwich.
'I agree' he said, with his mouth full 'children are not taught how to behave properly these days. That's why more are being locked up. The law is so soft now that it's only the real scumbags the courts send to jail. The real problem is all about bad or non-existent parenting, from a very early age. And by choosing a measure of relative poverty as their yardstick, the Government cannot target those most in need - those whose circumstances are the worst of all. Relative poverty is about coming to terms with having less than others - it should be only the worst off who are targeted. Those in relative poverty know what the score is: work hard at school, get a decent job, don't fritter your money away, and you can have a decent life. But many of them know that they can get away with doing the opposite, then claim they are "victims" of society'.
'You could have a point there' I conceded 'but as a society we have a responsibility to look after the welfare of the vulnerable - and the young are amongst the most vulnerable of all.'
'Agreed' said Nosher 'but more responsibility needs to be placed firmly upon the shoulders of the parents. At present they can blame their circumstances on that amorphous entity "society" whereas there is in fact lots that most could do to bring their children up in a way that would better prepare them for life in the adult world, and thus be able to improve their lot in life.'
'I can see I'm not going to change your mind about this' I said, wearily.
'Nope' said Nosher 'we should stop making excuses for people who are feckless and irresponsible, and focus welfare on those in real hardship. Now, where did I put my Daily Mail?'
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