Children first

by Mike

‘Child starves to death in Birmingham’ is a headline that you unfortunately will see on the news tonight.

It’s shocking to even contemplate and even worse then that, it is true.

According to ITN news “The girl, named by police as Khyra Ishaq, and five other youngsters were found in the early hours of May 17th at a terraced house in Leyton Road, in the Handsworth area of the city.”

A neighbour had left out bread meant to be for the birds, but came to find out that the young children had been using it as their only source of food. A man aged 29 and a woman aged 33 have been charged with neglect and have already appeared in court.

I really do not know what to say to this. I know that there are different cultures in the world and they have different views and values and they all should be respected as there is room for all thoughts to exist.

However when it comes to deliberately starving children, I’m not sure there can be a reason that can justify it. A seven year old child is defenceless and looks to their parent or guardian for advice and inspiration as to how to live their lives. If they are being treated with such contempt to go so far as to not feed them, what message does that send?

Is there something mentally wrong with the parent or guardian; is there any excuse that can come from this that will make anyone think “you know they do have a point”? I don’t think so.

Unfortunately people are starving all over the world and a simple click of the fingers cannot change that. However in a country that can support itself and would consider itself to be a first world country, would anyone be prepared to put themselves before a child in order to prevent starvation?

Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 and is filed under Pain and suffering, Thoughts & Questions, Views on News.