Why your kids are right to bunk school
The heatwaves, floods, deadly wildfires and violent hurricanes we’ve experienced lately are mild compared to what our children will contend with
John Lanchester’s new novel The Wall imagines Britain after “The Change”. Following a dramatic shift in temperature and sea levels, the UK has barricaded off what remains of the coastline; in Lanchester’s dystopia, there aren’t any beaches left. Young citizens bear no responsibility for any of this, but they’re the ones who must guard the wall and violently repel increasingly desperate migrants, known as “The Others”. If they fail, the young are themselves cast out to sea as punishment. Not surprisingly, they’re pretty unhappy about their lot. “None of us can talk to our parents,” says Kavanagh, the novel’s protagonist. “It’s guilt: mass guilt, generational guilt. The olds feel they irretrievably f*cked up the world, then allowed us to be born into it. You know what? It’s true. That’s exactly what they did. They know it, we know it. Everybody knows it.” It’s a sentiment shared no doubt by the schoolchildren protesting around the world on Friday to demand far more decisive action on ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.