Jeremy Vine Show Thursday 4th January 2007

[Helen May]

Coming up on today's show:-

Poor standard of army housing

Different teaching methods for boys and girls - are single sex schools the answer?

Medically limiting the growth of children

The British 14 year becomes the youngest person to sail single-handed across the Atlantic.

[Wild Bill]

Poor standard of Army Housing.

Heard this on the news earlier today.

Sounds like the Tory party are vote chasing again!

[Squeamous]

Yes, a true achievement. A 14 year old lad manages to do something other boys his age can only dream of because his daddy is rich, and we're all supposed to be impressed! I'd be more impressed if he came from a council estate and built the boat himself.

[Welsh Gardener]

I disagree Squeams.

Sometimes having rich parents can have the opposite effect and remove all ambition and drive from a young person. You cannot put a price on courage, enthusiasm and skill.

This young lad is amazing, in my opinion. Most boys his age can hardly get up in the morning and can just about navigate their way home from town. This lad has conquered an ocean.

WG

[quickssandra]

I agree WG.

There are times when my 15 year old is great, enthusiastic and very caring.

There are other times when I feel we are banging our heads against the wall, he's so lazy!

Hard work is anaethma to him, and to most of his friends!

I don't know where he gets this attitude from, we've encouraged and cajoled him from his first days at school, without being too overbearing, but only yesterday I had to remind him of the work he needs to do before going back to school next week. He's doing his Highers this year and needs good grades to go any further in life, but seems to think the world will look after him!

I sadly think this is the attitude of most of his generation.

If only he had this boy's ambition, maybe he'll change in the next year or two.

If he doesn't, it won't be because I've given up trying...

QS

[quickssandra]

We're not rich by the way!

QS

[Welsh Gardener]

Your son sounds absolutely typical Sandra, although I am sure you will not find that thought necessarily comforting as you are living through it right now.

I think some people who have teenage boys at home may see the achievements of this young lad and wonder where they are going wrong with the lazy, argumentative, hormone-fuelled monster they have just dragged out of bed for the sixth time this week!

The emotional maturity and skills he has shown really do set him apart from his peers - irrespective of family income or privilege.

WG

[Feverfew]

Agree, WG, - his mum and dad must be incredibly proud of him.

[Helen May]

Apparently a lot of the moans are about the fact he missed 6 weeks of school. I'm sure the experience gained from the sailing well and truly made up for that. If he has to repeat a year, so what? He could forfeit the now almost compulsory gap year.

What is it with the British when we can't be pleased when someone achieves something?

H

[V8farty]

I blame pushy parents. Probably taught him to sail before he was one!

[Feverfew]

Hi Helen


I'm sure the experience gained from the sailing well and truly made up for that

I heard his headmaster being interviewed yesterday and he said pretty much the same thing.

[Squeamous]

I'm sure when daddy's little boy eventually becomes an investment banker, he'll look back on his time at sea and chortle as he spends his Christmas bonus on the biggest yacht money can buy.

[Red Baron]

Hey QS - this lad's Dad is a Quantity Surveyor!!

That must mean the family are worth a fortune, mustn't it :lol:

RB xx

[Black Green & Gold]

Blimey,

There is some serious politics of envy around this issue.

I for one think it is a fantastic achievement. But the again, thinking well of today's youth is not in fashion ....

[Helen May]

So do I Rob. If he'd failed they would have moaned as well.

H

[V8farty]

I was never given the opportunties thats all!

[Welsh Gardener]

From what little information I have amassed V8, I would observe that the only opportunity I remember you missing was the opportunity to attend an all girls school.

WG

[Red Baron]

What amazes me as well is compare this to all the plaudits David Walliams got when he swam the channel! How come he was such a hero - he had back up teams and his coach swimming with him at one point!

Not that I would take anything away from him either, I certainly wouldn't have the guts to do either - but I just can't understand there is so much negativity about this!

RB


I for one think it is a fantastic achievement. But the again, thinking well of today's youth is not in fashion ....

[V8farty]

Because most of the time the boat was on auto pilot and a vast amount of pornography was found under his bunk. In a statement he said it was the only way he could get away from his mother, who wouldn’t let him have a lock on his bedroom door.

[Rabid]

I blame pushy parents. Probably taught him to sail before he was one!

Before he was one what?

[Rabid]

Because most of the time the boat was on auto pilot and a vast amount of pornography was found under his bunk. In a statement he said it was the only way he could get away from his mother, who wouldn’t let him have a lock on his bedroom door.

Did you see the mother on the telly? No wonder the dad went off with him........

[V8farty]

Ello Rab where you been?

Kids city, toys R us?, manky D's?

[Welsh Gardener]

Because most of the time the boat was on auto pilot and a vast amount of pornography was found under his bunk. In a statement he said it was the only way he could get away from his mother, who wouldn’t let him have a lock on his bedroom door.

Did you see the mother on the telly? No wonder the dad went off with him........

Rabid,

That's not very nice.

WG

[Sugarmountain]

I think a lot of people get fed up with our media deciding for us who are "heroes".
JV was most indignant that people should have the view that his achievement was questionable because he was tailed all the way by his father, he missed school and is obviously in a privileged position most boys his age can only dream of.
When he was interviewed on the 6 o`clock news yesterday Natasha Kuplinski was trying her hardest to emphasise the dangers and hardships while the young lad, to his credit, just shrugged his shoulders and said it was pretty routine and uneventful.
I think the media have a lot to answer for in trying to sensationalise every story these days.

[CZ_Ste]

To the 14 year ol lad that sailed the Atlantic, “well done that lad”. A fantastic achievement if ever.

To the people who put the lad and his family down, get a life as some folk are only happy when they are putting others down.

Ste

[Hobsons-choice]

Thinking of the abilities of boys I can tell you the ability is there it is just it is not "cool" to be seen to be working academically. Most boys seem so laid back they can appear horizontal.
It is also the fault of these people who compile statistics - if there is an "average" then a lot will be below it and a lot above it. Just keep plugging away and make sure further education opportunities are there, for when they realise they need qualifications.