I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

What sort of life must she have had. 7 kids, 5 fathers. Stepdad likes looking at pics of kiddies. Uncle kidnaps her. Step aunt and step gran seem to cover it up. And Shannon prefers to stay with foster parents and her new cat than go home with her mum.

This little girl is the same age as my daughter.

What a sad state of affairs.

:(

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Typical of low lifes in this country.

Shannon should count her lucky stars she has broken free at such a young age and is now likely to have a better life because of it.

Unfortunately all the other kids will continue to be brought up with no morals or understanding of decent honest life, and will then end up just like their parents having 10 kids each, who will all then in turn each have another ten kids slowly making the honest middle/working class extinct because they cant afford to have their own as they are paying for other peoples.

Its real life shameless.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Its all very sad for kids like Shannon Matthews, but there are more and more examples like this and it show why Britain is going to the dogs. What happened to family values, decency, honesty??

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Don't even start me on this. Some kids are not given a chance in life. I bet they thought they will cash up on all of this ... watching all the hype around Madelaine MC ... they though they will do the same!

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

+1

To generalise (and I'm not saying that all single parents are bad etc, so don't flame me) but the overall trend and breakdown of the family unit has a lot to answer for regarding todays society.

Poor Shannon. Lets hope she is looked after by the system, and gets a little help out of society's gutter.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Whislt I thoroughly agree with what's been written thus far, I also have a feeling that there is a LOT more to come from this story.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Totally agree.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

yup....... shannons mother had somthing to do with it all. i heard that they had asked the McCans for money to help find shannon

how can you do this to your own child?

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

The statistics on kids who go into care are truely terrible. The numbers who end up homeless, pregnant or in prison by the age of 19 make sobering reading (no reference to hand though).

I've heard opinions that this is in large part down to Labour closing down orphanages.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

It really is hard to know what to do for a kid like Shannon.

It doesnt seem like her mother can be trusted (assumption on my part as i dont have all the facts). Her step famaily seem to have pedophilic tendencies.

If the state removes her for her own good, as it seems it should, she may end up with a loving home, or she may end up in a childrens home, worst case like the place in Jersey.

I only hope it works out well for her!

What then should happen to the Adults concerned, they end up in the criminal "justice" system and cost us a fortune to keep locked away. - Why should we pay?
If they are not locked away then other kids are put at risk - possibly ours, so lock they up - But again why should we pay?

I have no answers, in fact I cant even formulate all of the questions in a coherent manner yet.

I can see why transportation to the colonies seemed like such a good idea way back when!

Confused!

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

I wish i could be transported to the colonies, they have done alright for themselves now.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

The system will undoubtedly work for this one kid. Of that I'm sure, she'll get fostered out and eventually adopted by a nice Guardian reading middle class family, she'll probably go to university. The spotlight is so bright on this one kid that things will work out for the best.

Unfortunately the same just ain't the case for the rest of them, and they are legion.

What amazes me more is that the whole charade went on for so long. I'm in danger of losing my liberal lefty credentials here, but the whole family, the extended family, hell the whole estate look thick as pig poo and I'm amazed they pulled it off for so long. Perhaps they didn't, perhaps the police always knew something was up and felt it safer to play along till the kid was safe. From the moment the uncle was charged only with kidnap and not with "kiddy-fiddling" or "attempted kiddy-fiddling" it was obvious they'd learnt (or perhaps, with the help of the kid's testimony, just confirmed) that this was not a case of "sick wacko abducts kid to satisfy twisted personal desires".

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

How they let this thieving slag have 5 kids I don't know. After a lifetime of doing nothing for anyone they should have sterilised her after the second child.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

OK, this story is what it is, and the social network around the family may leave something to be desired.

But can we please stop with some of the unsavoury comments that are being made about 'these people'. If you had a background like that what chance would you stand of breaking out of it if that's the general (employing, tax-paying, public-service providing) public's attitude towards you? What would you do if one of 'them' came to you for a job because they were desperate to break out of the porverty trap?

there but for the grace of god (or whoever floats your boat) go all of us

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

sorry coolgirl there are systems in place to get anyone out of situations of poverty in the UK,
THE DOLE
RECRUITMENT AGENCYS
JOB CENTERS etc etc

however with people like this they just blatently choose not to.. or cant be bothered.. how can you put a child through this? and not considered a monster when caught?
if i was in there situation?.. i trust i have the initiative to get me out of it.. and fast.. by simply getting a job, organising daycare and making my partner work too.. then Move.. i believe you control your own life and ive always worked hard to get the nice things i have... so why should i pay for people like that who do next to nothing?

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Must... recover... liberal... lefty.... credentials....

Actually no, Coolgirl is right. It's not a case of choosing not to, it's a case of simply not knowing any other life, and not having the education to choose a different life. There are sink estates where people are third and fourth generation "dole scroungers" - their parents, their grandparents, even their great grand parents have known no other life, neither have their neighbours or their extended family. As such, if "you" (or I, or anyone), were in this position, no we most likely wouldn't have the iniative to get out of it as we simply wouldn't know of a way, inclination to take an escape means nothing if you perceive no escape.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

And not many folk willing to take a chance on you even if you did have the inclination.

Ever heard of the 'bucket of frogs' syndrome?

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Noone forces them to stay in that sort of life. Bucket of frogs syndrome or not, nothing but their own lack of ambition to blame.

I blame the benefits people for pretty much all the problems in this country at the moment, why the hell should anyone get a free ride? If you choose not to work, then starve.

Despite a pretty healthy hatred for communism, the chinese have this one spot on, over there, if you're out of work then you can turn up to the "dole office" in a morning, do a days work sweeping streets or other such task, and get a days pay for it. Spot on.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

ok so first of they say she ran away, yer ok she might of done, so what was her reasons, was it because of the stepdad, was it because of the pics on the computer?? whys he been remarded in custody for,

so no all the family is in care, what did her mum think it was a money spinner for them?

when she knew where she was why cover it up and lie?? they proved she had phoned her during the time she was missing?


theres loads missing from the puplic about this and sorry to say we will never know

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

waynette slob comes to mind
"i want a brown baby Wayne, like all the other mums on the estate"

Why should the benefits office pay for them?
cos if they didn't the only way for families like this to carry on affording 40 fags a day would be to burgle your house more often and flog your stuff.

gettin dizzy,
Sterilisation?
a little harsh...how would you determine who to sterilise and who not to?
a smell test?, accent?, ciggy brand?
you there, smoking the cheapo fags - no more than 2 kids for you.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

I don't intent to make any comments about Shannon's family as I am sure the press will do a good job of crucifying them.

However, listening to Gary Newlove's widow today. I have to agree with her. Society has let down many of our children, they now lack any form of morel guidance and do what ever they please. Unfortunately that also includes irresponsible breeding.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

+1

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Doesn't Shannons real dad want to have her in his care? Most people would just assume under the circumstances she would be put in care...but she does have a dad.
I have no idea where I have seen her real dad, but I live in a council estate in Halifax and I'm pretty sure I have seen him with people over here before, I just can't think where I've seen him......it'll dawn on me.
I do believe that with a mother like that and stepdad that the poor lass has probably now got a small chance of getting an improvement in her life.
Seeing firsthand what goes on in these large 'estate' families here, the whole saga hasn't surprised me at all. Its life I'm afraid and most educated, better off peeps just are shocked by it because they never get exposed to it.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Didn't they do this on shameless?

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

yes they did

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

I don't give a monkeys about her family. It's the girl I care about. What she must have seen in her 9 years... I so hope that foster care will open a new life to her. Not necessarily an affluent middle class life - we are too good at imposing our own norms on other people - but one where she can have friends, go to school, and live as much a normal life as she can ever hope for given what's happened, without all the jerks and failures that are pretty much all she has ever known.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

She's a leech. Everyone deserves a couple of chances of course. But how do you end up with 5 children never having held down a job?! She's obviously not capable of supporting herself never mind children. Cut her tubes I say.


EDIT: seems she's being done for negligence - appropriate.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

+1

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Children are resilient. they thrive on love. but can quickly learn to be as parasitic as their peers. I just hope the shambles that is the Mathews family is quickly obliterated.

When a child is unfortunately unable to live with their family. It would appear to me that there is a desire to place the child with the extended family. Unfortunately in this case I hear them banjo starting to strike a chord.

This in turn sickens me. I am a grand parent. If anything happened to my kids. I would want that the authorities would want Lynne and myself to care for our grandkids. In this poor child's case. Does anyone know which child has which grandparent?.

Strange that the prison system has a nice way with some offenders. Prisoners may well be the dregs of society. But many of them are parents. Deprived from their children. I cannot believe that many will tolerate somebody that they now view as having contributed to the neglect or worse abuse of their own child.


Chances are. This case may never get to court.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

can any one blame the parents ?
WHY work ? ...........there is millions who do 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week,
AND pay's tax....
stay at home and get money for err...having kids.
hold on.. who is the donkey ...................
but after all that i would still work, any work....
Foreigners coming here and taking our jobs……you know the ones that we cant do / wont do…. Why should we, they pay tax and I can just about make it to the post office to collect my dole...
there is something very wrong here...:smt115
I feel sorry for shannon ....

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

It's their up bringing! B*LL*CKS!!!!

People should always strive to change their lives if they don't like them - they just can't be bothered.

My parents came from a poor working class background and did their best to give me the things they never had and worked hard all of their lives to ensure I didn't have as tougher time as they did.

Now I do a full-time job and a part-time job to try and make sure my kids too have the things I didn't and don't have to live in certain areas. I choose to do this and if I was ever out of work would do anything (...and I MEAN anything) to put food on the table and pay the mortgage.

On the other hand my sister is a lay about who doesn't work, smokes, drinks has two kids.

She has a house which is bigger than mine and her kids are always in designer gear - HOW?

and how can it be fair? so I ask you what incentive is their for me to work, other than the fact that every month I pay my mortgage on MY house.

The Shannon case is not about their circumstances and I don't know the full facts, none of us do, but every person should know right from wrong.

I protect my kids from as much harm as possible and would not put them in a situation which could knowingly be to their detriment. I chose to have them and they are my world. Anyone or anything that tried to hurt them would be dealt with severely (whether you think that an eye for an eye is wrong or not) that is my way!

How can anyone have indecent images of kids and be a parent?

How could you go on holiday, go out for a meal and leave your kids asleep in the apartment? (sorry McCanns, I just wouldn't do that)

These people are not responsible enough to have kids and should not be allowed to have them. I hate reading stuff like this as it makes my blood boil.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Kev, did you pick up on this on the BBC news website. It'll make your day.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/7341160.stm

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Ed - if I wasn't just about to go for my last little run before sunday's jog I'd write a full-out rant, but I''l leave it for the others.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

+1

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Sorry Coolgirl, kudos for trying, but as you can see from the subsequent two pages, the Daily Express sponsored lynch mob is now in full effect. Don't get disheartened, it's not a representative opinion, just a particularly noisy pitch-fork wielding one :D

I've been through this so many times and I've lost the patience to do so again. If anyone wants to continue the argument just go through most of my previous posts, copy & paste; might as well copy & paste the responses too as I imagine I've not changed anyone's opinion :D

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

MiniMatt - where's your spirit??? I remember our last tear-up, it was most enjoyable. Now where's me pitch fork and burning torch???:p

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

Oh go on then, seeing as it's you :D

I'll start with your good self as I know you're 'ard enough to take it :D

Firstly, I hope for your sake your sister doesn't read this :D Or at least I hope you can run faster than her :D

Ok, fairness, on the face of it you're looking at the size of her house and the clothes her kids wear and thinking it's not fair. Lets assume that whatever her flaws your sister, like you, wants the very best for her kids, she wants her kids to grow up succesful and happy. Now...

• Whose kids stand more chance of growing up succesful & happy, productive members of society?
• Whose kids are going to get better grades at school?
• Whose kids stand more chance of avoiding the temptations of drink, drugs & crime?
• Whose kids are likely to grow up with a diverse cultural experience and develop a wide range of hobbies and interests, form strong friendships, and lead rewarding fulfilling lives?

I'm willing to bet you'll concede that your own kids stand a far better chance of acheiving these things than your sister's. You still think it's unfair? You're willing to trade all that in for a bigger house and a designer pair of trainers?

People always seem to focus on material needs being provided for and think that this makes the system unfair. It's the opportunities, the chances in life, the fulfillness of life that makes the system unfair.

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

So why pay for these leeches to live?

Re: I feel so sorry for Shannon Matthews
 

So your solution? Let them starve? Let their kids starve? Sorry, but I don't want to live in that country. You can if you like. It's called Zimbabwe. Or Rwanda. Or Sierra Leone. I'm sure you can get a flight today.