"it's not just the parents but also the schools and their friends who assume they'll end up in Tesco."
Nick, totally agree - but what had brought about this lack of aspiration, which was not there some 30-40 years ago - at least not in such a large way.
I have been amazed to hear teachers discouraging pupils from aspiring to go to the best universities - perhaps teaching really has become the refuge for those who cannot do.
Or is our bottom line too comfortable and discourages those who should seek work - or move to where the work is - as did many of their forefathers and do the immigrants from E Europe today.
The massive problem needs a non-political discussion - yet most of our politicians shy away from it.
Is there any evidence at all that there is less aspiration today than there was in the past?
Or rather that there was more aspiration in the past than today?
Proposal for 300+ houses in my home town, which will raise the population from ca 5000 to ca 6500 has caused a storm of protest to be whipped up, initially at any rate on Facebook, but talk of "strong objections" at Parish Council, to MP etc. No indication yet, AFAIK, as to likely house values.
The United Kingdom and the Empire was at its apotheosis when poverty was rampant amongst the lower classes.
Poverty was a price worth paying for the Empire.
I know you're joking, but the fact the Empire largely exploited its colonial subjects rather than try to uplift them was the main reason it came apart. Not only would the latter have improve sentiment towards the British, it would also have made the Empire as a whole a lot economically stronger, and more able to resist the German threat throughout the 20th Century.
One of the Empire's proudest achievements is that the largest volunteer Army in history came from India and Pakistan & Bangladesh.
The Empire must have done something right to make people want to fight for their colonial masters.
The United Kingdom and the Empire was at its apotheosis when poverty was rampant amongst the lower classes.
Poverty was a price worth paying for the Empire.
I know you're joking, but the fact the Empire largely exploited its colonial subjects rather than try to uplift them was the main reason it came apart. Not only would the latter have improve sentiment towards the British, it would also have made the Empire as a whole a lot economically stronger, and more able to resist the German threat throughout the 20th Century.
One of the Empire's proudest achievements is that the largest volunteer Army in history came from India and Pakistan & Bangladesh.
The Empire must have done something right to make people want to fight for their colonial masters.
Comments
Edited extra bit: F1: I'll put up the pre-qualifying piece on Friday. Due to the timing, it's unlikely I'll offer a tip on qualifying.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.