[Sarihah]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...652127,00.html

CHILDREN as young as three are to be singled out by nursery staff if they display aggressive behaviour or have a family background of criminality, according to a government report.

The study, leaked yesterday, proposed nursery staff should note children of three and four who bullied other children as deemed to be at risk of growing up to be criminals.

Can you believe this?

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[amyjeans]

Is this the beginnings of a real "Minority Report?"
What would the government do, terminate these future criminals?
What a shame we have the "Texacutioner" in office!

uggh...

 

[DebraBaker]

:

If you label people like that its a self fulfilling prophecy.

I cannot imagine giving up on a three-year-old.

Debra Baker

 

[broodymama]

I don't see an article at the link.

 

[BusyMommy]

I got a blank, too.

So, are they looking at high energy kids or kids who harm other children?

 

[Sarihah]

Try the link now. I had posted the wrong link.

: They are looking at kids who are 'not under control' by age 3 with a special emphasis on bullies. Some of the interventions that they are looking to provide are wonderful, but it's this labeling that I object to.

 

[mthomas]

I don't know. I have mixed thoughts on it. I agree with most of you who object to the labeling, but at the same time it sounds like it's not a bad idea. Okay, so the gov't is less concerned abt the CHILDREN and more abt the crimerate, which when high, costs them more $$. But if we are able to help these kiddos who are having trouble and difficulites, and at the same time help the kiddos that are/would be victims, that would be great.
There has been a lot of focus on bullying in America lately. I think ppl are finally becoming aware of the widesweeping problem. It's not something that kids "just have to go through", it's not "just a part of school". It damaging for both parties. I dunno, I'm not totally sure what to think.

 

[calpurnia]

BTW, this article isn't about the US, it's from Britain.

It sounds pretty terrifying. I had high hopes when I read the sentence - the Home Office refused to discuss the report, but its conclusion was said to be that the Government's efforts to tackle crime should be concentrated on children most at risk of offending, but my hopes were quickly dashed.

I'm confused as to why the Times ran together this leaked study with Ruth Kelly's new proposals. They are two seperate issues, methinks.... I am always wary of the Times anyway, & I haven't heard this item on the news or seen it in other newspapers. A leaked report is just that, it's not actually a policy yet, & there is no guarantee that it will be one. Fingers crossed at least.

 

[hunnybumm]

I think it's sad to label them in any way criminal. I also think 3 is a bit young, don't a lot of 3 year olds still have fits and still hit kids because they took their toy, etc? Maybe 5 or 6 when they know how to act and when more bulling begins.

I also think if this helps the kids help who need it, then great. I just hate that the word "criminal" was used. However, there is a serious issue with bulling in schools and it is so sad. I was subject to it a lot when I was growing up, oddly enough it stopped when I hit high school but by then the damage was done. I had anything from name calling to rocks being thrown at me (because I called the girl a B because she was calling me names *sigh*). It's sad what children do to other children.

 

[Greaseball]

Has anyone read "The War Against Children of Color" by Peter Breggin?

He talks about how U.S. inner city children are being labeled and treated with drugs during the toddler years in an effort to curb future violent behavior, as well as scientists who are doing research to look for genetic components of violent behavior, as well as unemployment and poverty.

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And, wouldn't you know, most of the research is done on black children.

 

[DebraBaker]

That's a bit scarey, greaseball. Sounds downright eugenic to me. Gataca eugenic, 1930's Germany eugenic.

Debra Baker