Great Expectations?

I’d like to say that I came to England with little to no expectations. But the longer I’m here I realize that although I said I didn’t have any I actually did have several. At orientation we were told that it would be easiest to adjust if we a) didn’t have expectations or b) expected our expectations to shatter.

My first expectation that I’ve had shatter was that living in the UK would be a simple adjustment from living in the US. The US was the UK’s child (that’s how it was explained to me in 8th grade history) so the similarities should be more prevalent than the differences. But I’ve seen over the past 3 weeks that even the simple things are different, which makes my life just slightly more complicated. From the vacuums—or hoovers—to even the envelopes, I feel that I have to learn everything all over again. And this process is rather frustrating. I like to consider myself a very independent person and wait till the last possible second for help, but since being here I feel that I’ve lost all sense of independence and have asked more questions than ever before in my life.

My second expectation was that most laws would also be similar creating a similar social setting. But as my work at Charis House becomes more involved, I learn more and more differences between the two countries.

Many of the women here are on welfare equivalent. However, their benefits are so great that there is rarely an incentive to find a job and begin living a more independent life. I am a full supporter of giving mothers/families extra help where needed, but when they are receiving more money than people working full-time jobs without any incentive to do more than watch TV all day, that’s where I have a problem. They receive weekly checks for spending money, housing money, and extra money for their children with no limitations on a time limit—at least that I’ve learned about so far. But if a job is found they usually don't pay enough to cover basic living expenses but pay too much to continue receiving assistance, essentially giving no reason to ever want to get a job and get of benefit.

But the maternity leave is much better than the US. This past December they changed the laws to give new mothers 9 months off with full pay (it used to be 6 months) and 3 months off with 60% pay. The fathers receive 2 weeks paternity leave.

In order to have to personal TVs in rooms, the household must register for a TV license for each TV. These are purchased annually for approximately £125. Personally I find this a bit excessive and ridiculous.

In Buxton they’ve just started a new recycling campaign called “Binnovation”. But from what I’ve learned from it so far is there are so many rules for the recycling that everyone can easily become overwhelmed and give up before any progress is made. It’s interesting to me to see people who in the United States would be stereotyped in a certain political party, but have a deep desire for recycling. Quite a contrast from what I’m used to at home. But perhaps that is just my cynical American nature surfacing.

The “Protestant Work Ethic” is another expectation I arrived in England with, unaware. I figured that I would more often than not be busy and occupied. I’ve never considered myself to be one who whole-heartedly followed the theory behind the Protestant Work Ethic, but being here I seen that I am most often sitting—unoccupied. And it drives me crazy! I’ve been volunteering for jobs that I would otherwise rather not do, simply because it keeps me busy for at least 2 minutes. I’m trying to be patient…but it’s hard!

I think the last one is the most significant—as well as the most difficult for me. It is the child protection policies followed in England. I think it would be fair to say that the U.S. has an okay policy when it comes to child abuse, protecting the children, and taking the necessary steps with the perpetrators. However, compared to England we have an outstanding system. Over the past couple of days I’ve realized that a child’s word is not considered evidence in a case, no matter how concrete it can actually be. A child can be initially taken from the parents’ care if abuse is confirmed, but just as easily the child is given back—repeatedly. It is a very rare occurrence for parents or whoever is abusing the child to have any legal action taken against them. I find this system heartbreaking, tragic, and sickening. It makes me thankful and grateful for the measures—no matter how small or insignificant—the US takes to protect children from abuse.

I expected to arrive in England with little to no expectations and this week I’ve realized that was the biggest expectation that has been broken.