{Religious Fundamentalism and Crass Stupidity in the Social Services}[11th January 1989]

[Redbook6:91-92)][19890111:1638]{Religious Fundamentalism and Crass Stupidity in the Social Services}[11th January 1989]

*

19890111.1638

We have had two very pleasant Health Visitors for the children but the latest is** an excellent example of the dangers of giving knowledge to the stupid. She had to test our 16-month old [s]: a pile of bricks on the table, and a cup, and she asks for the cup, but [s] is naturally is more interested in the bricks; then a pen and some paper, but [s] is interested in how the pen is put together, and won’t scribble on the paper (something he was trying to do on my book this morning). [s] then goes off by himself to the portable keyboard, switches it on, and begins to play; when he has finished (I presume)[,] switches it off again: he does this three times. ‘When he switches it on’ says Miss Pavlov eventually, her attention having been drawn to these exercises in self-expression and self-motivation, ‘he gets a reward of music.’

Apart from the fact that I find the last remark extremely offensive, and the lady herself unfortunately loud, superficial, and indiscreet about our neighbours, the examinations themselves are an excellent example of compliance tests masquerading as tests of ability. For of course there [are] at least two reasons why anyone should fail an exam: because he is not able to pass it, or because he doesn’t want to. So from the age of 16 months society tests all its citizens for good citizenship, that is to say for obedience to official authority….

The lady is apparently a member of the {(fundamentalist)} […] (?) Fellowship, and a friend of our fundamentalist neighbours*** and erstwhile friends, [B] and [F], whose combination of fundamentalist creationism with what seemed to be cynical exploitation of other people’s helpfulness eventually proved too much for us….

*[Strictly speaking, almost certainly part of the National Health Service, not of Local Authority Social Services; but this particular function seems more social service than medical <20190828>]

**(seems to be, at any rate)

***[not immediate neighbours]

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