'It has made me think about the change of attitudes of parents to their children spoiling them in many ways. '

'It has made me think about the change of attitudes of parents to their children spoiling them in many ways. '

Hugh Duncan remembers The Boys Brigade in his youth. He could never join due to the cost of the uniform. He reflects on the change in attitudes of partents today towards their children. He remembers how when he was young, children were more active and played outdoors more, he also mentions how in his youth, there were greater family values.

Hugh Duncan

Trinity College Dublin

2011

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Hugh Duncan

Reflections

Life Story

Belfast

2010s

I remember as a boy some other boys in The Boys Brigade. They wore little pillbox hats and navy like jerseys with matching socks. I couldn't join because my parents couldn't afford to buy me a uniform. I also remember the little girls going to Sunday school wearing little hats. And the Girls Brigade wearing uniforms.It has made me think about the change of attitudes of parents to their children spoiling them in many ways. In the organisations I have mentioned they taught children the true values of life and building character to stand them ready to face the life ahead.It seems that parents of today have no time to think about the values of the family or church, computer games have taken away family values and children have to fend for themselves and not getting enough exercise and eating junk food. Children of the past spent as much time as possible playing football and outdoor games and exercising and were much fitter.

Irish Research Council for Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences (IRCHSS)

Dr Kathleen McTiernan (Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Deirdre O'Donnell (Trinity College Dublin)