Accrington Web - View Single Post - has the world gone mad.. or is justified?

West Ender · 29-06-2008, 19:33

I think I was 9 when my mother first let me go into Accrington by myself, from West End. I had been going alone to St Mary's school for well over a year. I still remember the instructions I was given, then and for some years after, that if I lost my way or felt uneasy and there wasn't a policeman around (there really were policemen around in those days) I should ask a woman for directions, not a man. I suppose that crumb of parental comfort was eroded, by 1965, with Myra Hindley but I was a mother myself by then. So things haven't changed, gender-wise, in that sphere and a would-be-helpful male was just as much mistrusted in 1951 as now.

Coming to what I would do now, in such a situation, I would go to help any distressed child. My instinct would be to offer protection, as I think would most women's. I think the only difference might be that I wouldn't cuddle and comfort a sobbing child - which once I would have done. I would want to but it's so open to misinterpretation. Isn't that sad?

29-06-2008, 19:33	#12
West Ender Passed away 25-11-09 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lymm, Cheshire Posts: 2,674 Blog Entries: 147 Liked: 2 times Rep Power: 192	Re: has the world gone mad.. or is justified? I think I was 9 when my mother first let me go into Accrington by myself, from West End. I had been going alone to St Mary's school for well over a year. I still remember the instructions I was given, then and for some years after, that if I lost my way or felt uneasy and there wasn't a policeman around (there really were policemen around in those days) I should ask a woman for directions, not a man. I suppose that crumb of parental comfort was eroded, by 1965, with Myra Hindley but I was a mother myself by then. So things haven't changed, gender-wise, in that sphere and a would-be-helpful male was just as much mistrusted in 1951 as now. Coming to what I would do now, in such a situation, I would go to help any distressed child. My instinct would be to offer protection, as I think would most women's. I think the only difference might be that I wouldn't cuddle and comfort a sobbing child - which once I would have done. I would want to but it's so open to misinterpretation. Isn't that sad? __________________ * Some cinemas let the flying monkeys in............and some don't.