@IvyTwines2
I've just heard a clip of the interview on the Radio 5 news too - so glad this issue is finally being discussed on the BBC. Now can we please have more coverage of how it is affecting so many teenagers right now? Newsnight has been great on the Tavistock, but it's tucked away after many people's bedtime.
Yet, some parents must hear it. Why aren't they talking about it? It's so common - it affects several family friends for me and their families are in turmoil (particularly when one parent is adopting the 'full stream ahead' approach and the other would prefer a 'watchful waiting').
They're not talking about it because it's social death and ostracism from other parents and even concerns about conflicts with the school and Social Services. Get in with the wrong group, and somebody would probably send letters to your professional body or even employers to detail your wrongthink.
I have taken the decision not to talk about it. My friends wouldn't listen to me and I'd rather still be available to them if matters go awry. For one set of family friends, with conflicting parents as above, it is resolving now that the child in question deteriorated in mental health during lockdown and has now received some assistance with that. It seems as if that child has now desisted.
However, those parents aren't talking about the very real conflicts they had (it broke their relationship a couple of times) and the impact on the health of each member of the family. afaik, they're not talking about what has happened now that that child has elected to desist (and I'm pleased the child has the necessary MH support).
We're not talking to each other for fear of the real world consequences.