Theodore Dalrymple has written this shocking insight into the world of the permanent underclass. He's a psychiatrist working with the dregs of society in prisons and madhouses for the criminally insane. His analysis reveals that dysfunctional values are the root of poverty and degradation and until these are corrected we are doomed to suffer the depredations of the criminal classes. It's gripping stuff.

Interesting...does he offer a solution or is it an exercise in hand-wringing?

At what stage (if any) are the individuals of the "underclass" considered beyond remption?

Having dealt with these people I'd seriously welcome any actions I could implement that would improve things, or are they past saving by then?

Levenax, if this isn't another "they were born under a bad sign, it's not their fault" book I'd be interested in reading it. Is it worthwhile?

The book is quite depressing because it highlights the dreadful state of the allegedly poor in our society. An extract from a recent review of the book sort of sums it up.

"The world of the underclass is one wracked with crime, senseless violence, drug abuse, illegitimacy, nihilism and a total refusal to accept even a shred of responsibility of one's own actions. These are simply byproducts of a system of "subsidised apathy" in which there is nothing to hope for, nothing to fear, nothing to gain and nothing to lose. Though not poor in a traditional or historical sense, the lives of the poor are devoid of hope. With no incentives outside of instant gratification, the poor grow bored, restless, unhappy and increasingly violent. The underclass has dishonestly embraced "determinism" -- a philosophy that suggests behaviour is caused by one's environment and not one's personal choices -- to provide justification to milk the comforts of victimhood."

Dalrymple believes that the liberal insistance that society should be non-judgemental and that standards of civilised behaviour are relative is at the root of the problem.

You have all these big words for people.. they are human.. is it not a nature to fight or flee... and when you are put into a corner.. like a scared cat... in a situation that you dont always have the upperhand... will you not react? And ... if you are put in that.. situation for... a lifetime... years.. whatever... doesnt things get numb after awhile? or you must accept your impendin doom.. just so you can..accept who you are and where your headed? is that not ... natural? just wonderin.


sounds like an interestin read...

maybe they should do a follow up of... children through adulthood.. and every aspect of their life... as in.. walk in their shoes. dont forget to follow the homework.. and the sea of red ink that scribbles out their future. there are so many aspects.

blame the parents... lockm up... take the key and lock them up..lockm up..lockm up...