Are we ‘bovvered?’

According to the Times September 25, 2007 Girls in UK are now bigger binge drinkers than boys and get drunk more often….They seem to be becoming more sexually assertive – behaviour also more usually associated with young males... Girls are far more critical of their bodies than boys…Young women narrow – rather than expand – their aspirations as they get older. ..

Let’s be ‘bovvered’ by such statistics. Let’s set a trend to act in a positive fashion, when greeted by such negative statements. It does not have to be this way.

If we are going to make a difference we have to stop accepting these facts at face value. Whatever happened to hard-won feminism? Feminists never saw themselves as victims of exploitation. It appears that many young people today do exactly that. We need to celebrate with the girls who retain their self respect. Praise the young women who are prepared to be modest and moderate in their behaviour. Respect the teenagers who want to be responsible young citizens.

One of my ‘Cool Beans™’ sayings is, “Children should live with champions and heroes!” The challenge for the young of today is to find a role model that they can identify with. We need to set the example with passive leadership, both as parents and as members of a civilised society. We need to stand up to the plate and become the heroes! Young adults do not respond to threats, such as being ‘grounded’ – few of us do. People treated in such a way become untrusting, unwilling and defensive. We need to become considerate and thoughtful, lead by example and develop comfortable relationships with our youth of today; after all they are our tomorrow.

Find a passive leader in your family or circle of friends – someone you can look up to, admire and edify. For my own part, I need look no further than my husband, Jay. With his quiet and firm ways he set a perfect example to our children. We had proof of this when Kyle reached the age of 17 and had earned his first sizeable pay cheque. For the first time in his life, Kyle was able to buy Christmas presents with his own hard earned cash. On Christmas morn, he presented his father a large and elegantly wrapped parcel. “For you, bud!” he said with a big hug. On opening, Jay found a beautifully framed, black and white signed print entitled ‘Posse’ depicting seven famous riders on horseback … John Wayne, Charles Bronson, Clint Eastwood to mention but three…On the back, Kyle had written, “Dad, in your life, these men have been your heroes, but in my life you will always be my hero!”

Jay being Jay, did not say much. There was another big hug and special and knowing smile was exchanged between the two men in my life. They quietly acknowledged their love for each other this way….meanwhile the mother of the family had tears of joy and happiness running down her cheeks!

Let’s a raise the standards and set a good example ….go be a hero today!