Letter: Words of abuse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AS A TEACHER who has been involved in dealing with a case of child cruelty I was encouraged to see an article attempting to shed some light on this disturbing phenomenon ("Man's inhumanity to child", 21 March). Coming into contact with young people who have suffered the kind of abuse described by Theodore Dalrymple is surely one of the most emotionally demanding aspects of this job.
I was astonished, however, when the author went on to refer to the British educational system as "...a publicly funded form of child abuse". I searched for some justification for this appalling remark, but none was evident - perhaps because such crass ignorance is impossible to justify. Dr Dalrymple instantly alienated himself from the thousands of people in this country's education service who work tirelessly (and, it seems, thanklessly) to enrich the lives of children, and to prevent the type of cruelty he condemns.
Every school in the country is staffed by people dedicated to improving the life chances of the youngsters in their charge. I would not be foolish enough to suggest that this process takes place flawlessly but this certainly does not make teachers and other educational workers party to institutional child abuse. Were it not for the vigilance and solicitude of many people working in schools, precisely the type of abuse referred to by the author would be more prevalent, less often detected and perhaps more terrible. What a shame that the opportunity to discuss a matter of such gravity was wasted.
MORGAN P THOMAS
Greenford, Middlesex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments