Saturday Guardian Family Section - Grrr

[donkeyderby]

First, some nob who thinks he's really special because he's a New Dad and who refers to non-New Dads are 'Normals'.

Secondly, that twat Oliver James referring to children with learning disabilities as 'mentally retarded'

Thirdly, a guide on 'difficult' children - Although I quite enjoyed this article and agreed with certain points, maybe I just find it hard to stomache advice from a parent whose child is impossible, challenging, statemented and diagnosed with ASC/ADHD, who then turn out more-or-less NT.

I'm so glad I haven't had the "pleasure" of reading that twaddle.

me too

God I nearly started a thread about that self-indulgent pile of tossy wank - I can't bear those "look at me, my life will change" articles. Wankers, the lot of them.

All the Family section seems to do these days is wind me up. That "letter to..." thing is dire. I still haven't recovered from the "Letter to my placenta" a few weeks back.

Letter to my placenta - I saw that too. The family section makes me heave and I love the Guardian usually.

I used to really like the letters page as it had parents asking for advice from other parents but they got rid of that as it probably wasn't wanky enough.

I hate the stupid woman who was the 'personal shopper' but is now the agony aunt . How does that work out.

I haven't read the Oliver James section yet. If it says that I am complaining.

[http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/29/oliver-james-child-behaviour-genetics]

www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/may/29/oliver-james-child-behaviour-genetics

You can complain to the Guardian's reader's editor at [email protected]

I have.

It's really unclear who that Oliver James article was aimed at. It just seemed to be a couple of studies cobbled together and was, to be honest, really boring.

To be fair, about using the 'r' word, that is probably how the study was worded - I have seen studies before that compare autistic and 'mentally retarded' children with things like TOM. On the other hand, it always gives me the impression that they were carried out by the Dharma initiative in 1973 and don't have much to do with the price of bread.

(TOM = Theory of mind)

Absolutely, it wasn't even clear who the study was about but I took the term to be generic short hand for 'problem children'. It isn't sourced, so it could be old, but the article is new and he should explain his terms better.

However, this guy's articles always seem to rely on rather dated studies which fit into his way of thinking

Is he referring to the child here when he uses the term 'it'

A study of mentally retarded children found that when mothers viewed problematic behaviour as the child's fault, it was more likely to seem angry and frustrated to them. In turn, their care was more aggressive or harsh.

I think indeed he is. And this man tries to preach to women about how to raise children, constantly, incessantly, every week and gets paid for it

Is he a psychologist?

Oh ladies, I'm so pleased it's not just me!

Just because studies refer to 'mentally retarded' children, it does not mean that Oliver James and the editor do not bring the language up-to-date here in 2010. Imagine outdated, offensive terms being used in the Guardian as regards race, e.g., 'coloured' or 'half-caste' children. No way would that pass muster, but of course, the hard-hearted middle-classes have never bothered to learn anything about us, (I so agree with the mum in the difficult child article on that one)

I also agree 100% with the rubbish problem page that once was so good and diverse when readers - many of whom showed a common-sense, gut reaction to issues that was often spot-on - answered the problems, not the rent-a-job they've got now.

I have complained. Thanks for email address, debs

No worries. I agree with you on the use of language irrespective of what the actual studies may have said.

Also agree with you on the 'wild child' article. Terrible heading, some good points, but some awful. I mean what's the bit about the PTA mafia??? As if the PTA mums would all suddenly take your side and start acting as spies for you no matter how many cakes you bake?? Pahleeze

I liked the wild child article.