When I was working in the UK I often dealt with families where paedophiles had been involved and several of these perpetrators were Spanish and could see nothing wrong with having sex with the underaged or with family members. So does this mean that it is more hushed up in Spain, is it seen as somehow "normal", or what is the reasoning behind the fact that as you said the media is not obsessed by it.

Rosemary

Now you are taking the p*ss surely? That is the most scandelous thing I have ever seen on this forum

I never joke about children being hurt.

rosemary

Since when have paedophiles seen what they do as being wrong?

Bil, that is not my post that you have quoted, can you rectify it please.

rosemary

I think paedophilia is very rare, either in the UK or Spain. I think the UK press are obsessed with it because it sells papers. Unfortunately this frightens the whole population and causes more suffering than it prevents because children have no independence anymore and are not allowed outside to play.

I dont think anything is hushed up in Spain. I just think the news sources take things in proportion.

Proportion is an extremely valuable skill in life

Looks like between us we have messed up the "quote" bit. Do not know how to sort it, maybe you do.

Rosemary

Not as rare as people wish or prefer to think it is.

Rosemary

So do you think parents shouldnt let there children outside to play on their own, or to go round to friends houses, or to talk to people who are friendly in the village?

For me to NOT do these things is too big a price to pay. When I am in the UK I see parents who are afraid to interact with anyone. There is such a huge difference between how people react to children in Spain and the UK. In Spain every child gets smiled at, lifted up, tickled and made a fuss of by people they dont know, and its great, the best thing about Spain imo.

I don't want to lose that like the UK has done, because people are too afraid for their children. Children need to be socialised and shown that most people are incredibly nice. Yes it may lead to misplaced trust in a few cases, but the alternative is shutting everyone out of your personal space and living a lonely, mistrustful existance.

Hey you, dont be using my name in vain.......

On thing that seems to have been overlooked, and I think is very important.

Sex education is one thing, but I am sure that the vast majority in the UK who get pregnant, are not ignornat in sex matters.

But of course, a baby is a way of not having to get a job, ie income for life, and council house, whereas inSpain the family of the girl in question have to carry the financial burden of an unmarried pregnacy.

I bet the single mother birthrate wuld fall dramatically if benefits were withdrawn from this group of mothers.

Yeah, sorry about that. The fault is with Cricketman's post, as I simply quoted it as per normal , and didn't realise that your name was inside the quote.

Bingo.

There is a lot of it out there. The police did a sting by setting up a fake child porn site and then nailed everyone who logged in. The number of people caught was horrific.

I guess there are no social workers/ police /SOCO in your circle of very sucessful middle class friends.

Lived in UK until 5 years ago and did not witness parents being afraid to allow their children to interact with others socially. I too love the way in which Spanish people are with children. Your examples appear to be extreme whereas in actual fact most sensible families in both countries walk the middle road of encouraging interaction but also providing protection for their children. It should always be remembered that not everyone sees children in the same way and that there are good and bad in ALL societies. Having worked with abused children for many years I am not assuming or making guesses at what occurs but use informed factual evidence.

Rosemary

I did not say this Cricketman did. There is a problem with our quotes. Could you put this right by any chance as I do not know how to.

Rosemary