Personal responsibility. What’s that, then?

18 November 2008 | 21:23 by Wolfie
Filed under: Life, Rant-O-Meter

I’ve been mulling this post over in my head for a few days, since I read this story about a couple dodging their debts through a loophole in the Consumer Credit Act. Reading it, I was reminded of the free-for-all we had not so long ago with people taking the Banks to court to reclaim money they’d paid out in charges. And, as I did with all of the people reclaiming their Bank fees, I thought to myself - why should these people be allowed to dodge out of their responsibilities?

We seem to live in a society where individuals are no longer expected to take any responsibility - or blame - for their own actions. Government and pressure groups are continually stepping in to try and legislate for people’s stupidity. It doesn’t seem to matter what it is - smoking, drinking, fast food, educating or disciplining children, managing your finances. You know, all those things that are your responsibility to take care of.

Why should people who can’t manage their life be bailed out by the rest of society? Why should, for example, McDonalds be forced to take responsibility for you being a fat git just because you’re too lazy to eat properly? As Morgan Spurlock proved, living on fast food is not healthy for you yet people continue to do it. Why should that be McDonalds fault?

Likewise, why should people who can’t manage their finances properly be allowed to dodge out of paying their debts back? Whether it be claiming back “unfair” bank charges (which don’t apply if you know how to keep your account in proper order) or using a loophole to dodge your creditors, it shouldn’t be allowed. You’ve spent the money, you should damn well have to pay it back. But it seems that’s not how things work these days.

While thinking about what I was going to write in this post, I came across another story that illustrates another facet of this argument. Personal responsibility extends to the type of person that you are, but - as a result of the over-therapised nature of modern society - the type of person you are is now nothing to do with you; it’s all to do with the way you were raised; or the fact that you were only child; or the fact that you weren’t an only child.

The woman in the story was conceived with the help of sperm donation; because of that, she claims that she doesn’t know who she is and she’s on a years long crusade to find out who her father is. Sorry, but that’s bollocks. Your father is the man that was there when you were growing up, the one who provided for you, the one who tucked you in at night. Your father is not the person who jacked off into a paper cup in some cubicle somewhere. And your search to find out who you are? Look in the mirror. That’s who you are.

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If you’re having problems taking responsibility for your own life, check out this website which very succinctly describes what personal responsibility is and how you can change your life to be able to accept yours.

Tags: Personal Responsibility