Best of the Spectator
Spectator Out Loud: Catherine Lafferty, Michael Simmons, Paul Wood, Philip Hensher, Isabel Hardman and Damian Thompson
Jan 12, 2025
Paul Wood discusses the alarming resurgence of ISIS and the US's strange partnership with the Taliban in combating this threat. Philip Hensher reviews a new biography of the Brothers Grimm, emphasizing how words can wield immense power and shape cultures. Damian Thompson shares his unconventional way of handling election anxiety—watching videos of plane crashes to distract himself from the chaos. Together, these guests paint a vivid picture of contemporary challenges and cultural reflections.
38:57
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Quick takeaways
- Catherine Lafferty argues that the strategy to lower teenage pregnancies inadvertently dismantled vital protections against sexual exploitation for young girls.
- The podcast illustrates how Gen Z's engagement with darts and online platforms like Twitch is reshaping the traditional sports culture, promoting a more socially aware environment.
Deep dives
The Impact of Teenage Pregnancy Policies
The discussion centers on how initiatives aimed at reducing teenage pregnancies in the UK inadvertently dismantled crucial protective measures for young girls against sexual exploitation. The introduction of the Fraser guidelines in 1985 normalized underage sex under the pretense of empowering young women while minimizing risks of pregnancy. This led to a culture where signs of abuse among minors were overlooked, as it was mistakenly considered that consensual relations were harmless if pregnancy was avoided. Reports from serious case reviews highlight that the approach taken to decrease teenage pregnancy rates contributed to an environment where male predation went unchallenged.
