Weak Wayne, Survivor and sexualisation...
In a moment I'm going to be a bit of a "ranty-pants" but first let me say what a beautiful day it is (at least in the South East) so whatever your problem let a little of this sunshine into your heart!
Today on the MSN.co.uk homepage I've written an article about Cheryl and Ashley's situation - my thoughts on what happened and where they should go next.
Now, here comes the rant: I've got to agree with some of the commentary about Wayne Bridge pulling out of the England squad for the World Cup this summer. Whatever happened to checking your personal problems at the door when you go into work?
You know, I strongly believe that people should talk about their problems. And when it comes to your personal life and work - you have to think about whether it's appropriate to check your feelings at the door - and separate these two areas of your life - or whether you work in an atmosphere where people are very supportive and you can talk about your issues. So, in other words, you could bring your issues into work.
But playing for England is not in that category. Given the honour of representing England is incredible. So what message is Bridge giving? That even in a few months - and it's already been a couple months - that he won't have the personal strength to get on and focus on his football! Puulleeaasssee! I know tons of people - including myself - who have at times got on with the job - gone on into work and done what they've needed to even if the world’s crumbling around them. It's called "the show must go on!"
TODAY’S THOUGHT: Do you think any of the soldiers in Afghanistan - who might be worried about situations with loved ones back home - can just put down their kit and say they won't fight for Britain?? I think Wayne Bridge should consider that fact - and if they can get on in that terrible war for us then the least he could do is play for his team.
And if you're struggling into work today burdened with some terrible personal problem then good on you for getting on with the show. Unless of course you really should be taking some time off! Because, of course if you've gone through some trauma like a bereavement then you should take time out. But we all have problems - and we all have to work - and sometimes work is a good diversion - and sometimes it's simply crucial that you don't let workmates down and you get on with the show.
Phew… always feel better after a rant.
So sad to see the last Survivor late last night. We'd taped the last episode the other night when we were out to dinner. Bar episode two (which wasn't up to scratch) it was a great series and I loved the ending with Max Beesley's character Tom holed up in the back of the bad guy's plane. Can’t wait for this series to come back but it'll probably be a whole another year.
So happy to see the government finally doing something about the sexualisation of our children. I argued for years on my LBC radio programmes against the sexualisation of children, particularly of marketing aimed at young girls. I often had the amazing and phenomenal Esther Rantzen on to discuss what could be done. I've also written a number of articles in national newspapers about this very big problem that people seem so blasé about. So let's hope that the recommendations actually get put in place.
When my daughter wanted to read magazines like Sugar because all her friends were, I used to take out the pages with inappropriate topics for her age on them. She still got to feel like of the crowd BUT she didn't read overly-mature articles. In so many other ways I tried to protect my children from the sexualisation of our youth and I hope you'll find ingenious little methods to do so too.
Yay, I'm going on holiday! Must dash to finish off work and pack but I'll make one last post tomorrow. Have a great Friday, Pam X