This time again ...

Whoa ... well its nearing assignment completion (for all lecturers) and exam time again. I really cant believe this (academic) year has flown so quickly. In fact, I think I have only posted once or twice. It's been yet another struggle - time constraints, technology (!) and personal conflicts - but I'm here!!! And for that I can breathe a massive sigh of relief! This year has taught me not to be cocky - I don't know everything (even though sometimes i like to think i do), I don't have 64 hours in one day and I'm not indestructible. It's normal to think I can't manage,it's perfectly acceptable to cry and stamp my feet when things go wrong and I do not need to feel bad if my schedule goes to pot! I'm human!!!

So .. Warwick is around the corner. Part of me is really excited. I feel as though I'm nearing completion. My goal is within reach. Yet, I also feel as though I'm leaving behind a massive security blanket that I want to take with me. It's difficult - be happy to be moving on or be scared that our cushion has gone???

Lets see what the next few weeks bring .....

Its hard to comprehend ...

I've just been reading reports regarding the two brothers (11 and 12)that have admitted to the terrible torture of two children (9 and 11) last April. Although I was aware of this case, just having a 'mosey' round the Internet this evening has bought up several open forums where members of the public have had the opportunity to voice their opinions on the case. I was amazed at the amount of people who have said that these two boys are evil and that they should be locked up indefinitely. Some persons have even gone as far to say that they do not deserve life! I was more shocked to then consider that prior to doing this course, I would have been amongst the vast majority of people who made such comments, (I do not include the right to life in this statement - too strong even for my uneducated views).

Yes, what these brothers did was despicable. They conducted prolonged beatings and acts of sexual humiliation on two Innocent boys -but why? Saying "Oh, they were born evil" is a cop out! Without going into the 'great debate", even if a person is born with innate tendencies, they still are influenced by society, and such strong tendencies (in my opinion), would not go unchallenged in 10 years of life.

The brothers were (reportedly) subjected to a life of regular beatings themselves. They witnessed violence on a daily basis, had open access to extremely violent films and gaming software. Inappropriate sexual references and conduct was not shielded from these boys. I am not making the point that blame can be laid at the feet of the manufacturers of this media. I'm not even placing the blame on the parental guidance (I do not know enough about them to comment). It is apparent, through reading numerous reports, the brothers knew what was done to them (directly and indirectly) was wrong, so why did they repeat such acts, and more on two unsuspecting children? I would hazard a guess that it was because they knew they could get away with it. Their parents (or carers) who subjected them to atrocities, did so with no consequence. So if they could do it - why couldn't the brothers?

What I think I'm doing here is a basic observation of myself. Only 18 months ago, I would have probably had these boys locked up, attending psychiatric clinics and wearing a hat saying "I'm a nasty piece of work". Now, although what they did was wrong, they did it for a reason. Not just because they are evil, but they have not been socialised, taught, shown - whatever phrase you wish to use - the appropriate way to live within society. Actions have consequences.