On both the Today and the jamesstgeorge message boards I have often seen the following sentiments -

• 
  All people claiming benefits are spongers
• 
  Those living in sink estates are bad/evil
• 
  All such people are stupid/unintelligent/a drain on the economy

My experience suggests otherwise. I have lived on a sink estate; I have lived, not worked in, not visited, a homeless shelter. In these places I have only encountered 3 adults who had learning difficulties. The others were all capable of learning and most had done so. Some showed suprising knowledge and insight to their life and 'strreet' awareness. Some had formal qualifications (A levels, degrees) way beyond my expectations in light of their circumstances. In a lot of cases they might have been viewed as 'damaged'. But this is a view from the middle class, the conformists in society. My summation is that they see life differently which, ultimately, must be good. They don't see life as hunky-dori leading to a pleasent retirement. Why should they? Their life and what they see cannot possibly lead to that conclusion.

Anytime I read someone who is stereotyping this underclass I get angry. They, in general, are no worse or better than the person who has developed their stereotypes without knowledge or though. How ever, they probably know themselves better than their detractors know themselves.

A bit of honesty here. Do I stereotype people? Yes, of course. We all do; the person in the next door tribe is different/other/strange. Can I step back from my assumptions (which I don't know I have)? I have to try. Can I, can you? Will it help or just lead to new (unrealised) assumptions?

(I'd take some valium but I don't have a lot of regard for drug companies.)