Did we witness social mobility and sexism today with the royal wedding?

'Commoner' was the word of the day. About every three minutes (ok, I am exaggerating) the word was mentioned as if we were seeing something so extraordinary- Kate Middleton comes from a well to do background. She went to Malborough College which is an expensive school. This means that she didn't come from a family that was badly struggling to marry into the royal family. So, I am wondering if Kate's 'social mobility' has been exaggerated.

I was really excited by the Royal Wedding because it promoted Britain as a world class country still. However why does sexism have to be tied into British culture? Did you notice the sexism of the whole event? The way in which Kate and her wedding dress were described by the press was in the use of words such as 'understated', 'demure' and 'not a crowd stealer'. People were placing Kate in a secondary position even before she had left the church. There was also a lot of gender stereotyping on show: girls who had been waiting to see the dress, loved the kiss and who said, 'it should have been me'. Are there any girls out there, apart from me, who don't want to be in Kate's shoes???

My favourite bit of today was when Kate and William drove out of Clarence house in the Aston Martin because it was the funniest moment. What would have been better would have been if Kate had driven the car. I suppose she couldn't because of her big dress.

Some photos from the Abbey taken this evening

Easter Theme of Crime and Punishment

Good Friday and the crucifixion of Jesus in modern day would be a debate about crime and punishment. Jesus was punished for something he did not do and was nailed to the cross to remove him from society so that he would not be a threat to other people. Now we have people who are imprisoned to remove them from society but most of them have actually done something criminal. Our prisons are overcrowded and many young people are being put away for what is said to be too long a period.

This was the debate at the Spring Conference this year at which I spoke. The debate was about the age at which children recognise the difference between right and wrong. As a child I see children at the age of 11 and upwards who would definitely recognise that what they are doing is wrong and the consequences of it.

I introduce http://prisonerben.blogspot.com/ who killed someone at the age of 14, more than 30 years ago, and is still in prison. Do read his blog as he reveals the inside life and thoughts of a prisoner. Ben is the only prisoner who blogs in the UK. He comes across as being intelligent, ambitious and compassionate. His life could have been used more constructively if he had been allowed back into society much earlier. He is a living example of how some children may lose out from being imprisoned for too long. But Ben has shown remorse for what he did. What about children who don't care who they have hurt? The problem of child criminals is growing. I see it all the time.

This Easter please think about people like Ben and the big problem to society of crime and punishment. Just like Christmas isn't only about opening presents, Easter isn't just about chocolate eggs.

A Mother's Day Thought

Below is a prayer for all mothers everywhere. I chose this because it covers mothers in all situations. If you aren't a Christian and you are reading this then please stop and just think about mothers everywhere today. What is said in this prayer can also be a wish from people who don't believe in God.

A Mother's Day Prayer

God our Creator, we pray:

for new mothers, coming to terms with new responsibility;

for expectant mothers, wondering and waiting;

for those who are tired, stressed or depressed;

for those who struggle to balance the tasks of work and family;

for those who are unable to feed their children due to poverty;

for those whose children have physical, mental or emotional disabilities;

for those who have children they do not want;

for those who raise children on their own;

for those who have lost a child;

for those who care for the children of others;

for those whose children have left home;

and for those whose desire to be a mother has not been fulfilled.

Bless all mothers, that their love may be deep and tender,

and that they may lead their children to know and do what is good,

living not for themselves alone, but for God and for others.

Amen.


http://www.dgreetings.com/mothers_day/mothers-day-prayer.html