The Left sneers at success, but hard work pays
the Social Mobility and Child Poverty Commission squeals with outrage about a study that has found middle-class parents monopolise the best opportunities for their offspring, even if their children aren’t as bright as those from less advantaged backgrounds (Mail). You can skew statistics to suit, especially when it comes to snarling with disgust about those who have the temerity to fight for their children’s future and are unfairly advantaged because they can spend money to do so. Of course, there’s little thought that most of those who have achieved the success and connections to help their children have done so through hard work and belief in education and self-discipline. What’s the point in having these values if, when you achieve success, you’re going to be sneered at? What’s the point of social mobility if we punish those trying to better themselves and wanting their children to enjoy the fruits of their efforts? We need to move on from the stereotypes, so beloved of the left and the current administration, which divide the country into rich exploiters or poor victims. the country is indeed divided. On the one hand, there are those who want — those who invest time and wages into a nurturing environment for their kids, supporting education and dreams and wanting a better life for their families. these people can be from any culture, race or social background. then there are those in want — people who think the world owes them a living and view education as state-funded childcare. those who want will flourish and succeed — those in want will struggle. I’m a child of poor immigrants who put three kids through university, making many sacrifices to do so, and we’ve all done well. I, in turn, have taught my children the same values. there are many like me who have prospered; we made it because of drive and self-belief, and the money we earn, we re-invest in our children and the future. the Commission should make a realistic appraisal of the causes of social deprivation, such as selfishness, chaotic homes and indolence, fatalism and sense of entitlement borne of welfare dependency, rather than scapegoating success.
CHRISTINA BURTON, Eastbourne, Sussex.