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| Katie Hopkins' guide to family life | Katie Hopkins' guide to family life |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Talk about confused morals....she sacrified her chance to become Sir Alan Sugar's Apprentice in the interests of family, only to be caught dallying with married men. Here, Katie Hopkins sets the record straight. | Talk about confused morals....she sacrified her chance to become Sir Alan Sugar's Apprentice in the interests of family, only to be caught dallying with married men. Here, Katie Hopkins sets the record straight. |
| Everyone has a view on the family - how best to run a home, often against the competing pressures of work. Whether it is a critique on your mother in law, or the fact that your ex-husband is as useful as stairs on a bungalow, we have a right to an opinion. | Everyone has a view on the family - how best to run a home, often against the competing pressures of work. Whether it is a critique on your mother in law, or the fact that your ex-husband is as useful as stairs on a bungalow, we have a right to an opinion. |
| And since everyone else appears to have had an opinion on my life and the way I choose to live it, I feel compelled to have my say. To all those who sat in their armchairs pontificating on the state of my affairs (and there have been many) I would advise that if one stands too high upon the moral high ground, someone will look up and catch you wearing no knickers. | And since everyone else appears to have had an opinion on my life and the way I choose to live it, I feel compelled to have my say. To all those who sat in their armchairs pontificating on the state of my affairs (and there have been many) I would advise that if one stands too high upon the moral high ground, someone will look up and catch you wearing no knickers. |
| Society is an unforgiving beast. Because I work full-time, I am a heartless mother. A father who gives his all to the office, on the other hand, is commended for his dedication to providing for his family. | Society is an unforgiving beast. Because I work full-time, I am a heartless mother. A father who gives his all to the office, on the other hand, is commended for his dedication to providing for his family. |
| Because I am a single mother of two daughters, I must have led a promiscuous lifestyle. A father in the same spot would be offered sympathy and support. As a woman who has strong opinions and a wilful way, I am "ruthless", "reckless" or "selfish". | Because I am a single mother of two daughters, I must have led a promiscuous lifestyle. A father in the same spot would be offered sympathy and support. As a woman who has strong opinions and a wilful way, I am "ruthless", "reckless" or "selfish". |
| Demands for apology | Demands for apology |
| Such attitudes tend to be excused in men; in women they are seen as weaknesses. And since emerging in the public eye, I have been asked many times by many people to apologise for my approach to life. | Such attitudes tend to be excused in men; in women they are seen as weaknesses. And since emerging in the public eye, I have been asked many times by many people to apologise for my approach to life. |
| My own husband left me when his secretary offered to sit behind his desk instead of in front of it Hear Katie on Sunday's 5Live Report But I haven't apologised for any of it. In fact, I celebrate it. I celebrate the fact that we are all complex and different and that we have a choice. I believe it is not my behaviour that offends, but my brutal honesty. I am incredibly proud of my life and my family and incredibly passionate that we live in a society that is more honest and open than ever before. | My own husband left me when his secretary offered to sit behind his desk instead of in front of it Hear Katie on Sunday's 5Live Report But I haven't apologised for any of it. In fact, I celebrate it. I celebrate the fact that we are all complex and different and that we have a choice. I believe it is not my behaviour that offends, but my brutal honesty. I am incredibly proud of my life and my family and incredibly passionate that we live in a society that is more honest and open than ever before. |
| If you have had a view on my life; if you are one of the armchair high and mighty, then you must have a view of what is right and wrong. What is the best way to build a family? What makes up the model environment in which a child can learn and grow? What sort of family would make Britain altogether better? | If you have had a view on my life; if you are one of the armchair high and mighty, then you must have a view of what is right and wrong. What is the best way to build a family? What makes up the model environment in which a child can learn and grow? What sort of family would make Britain altogether better? |
| It's a debate that's been bubbling furiously in other sectors - in politics, where MPs are discussing the merits and drawbacks of marriage versus cohabitation; among youth workers, who see at first hand the sometimes disturbing results of broken families. | It's a debate that's been bubbling furiously in other sectors - in politics, where MPs are discussing the merits and drawbacks of marriage versus cohabitation; among youth workers, who see at first hand the sometimes disturbing results of broken families. |
| The family units that are the building blocks of our society have been changing in the way they are put together. As families fracture, regroup and rebuild along new lines, our society has a greater diversity of family arrangements than ever before. | The family units that are the building blocks of our society have been changing in the way they are put together. As families fracture, regroup and rebuild along new lines, our society has a greater diversity of family arrangements than ever before. |
| Broad opinion | Broad opinion |
| I have witnessed a broad spectrum experience this week, as I have been on a journey to discover what makes a modern British family. | I have witnessed a broad spectrum experience this week, as I have been on a journey to discover what makes a modern British family. |
| 'Single dads are often pitied, while mums are scorned'I have been to visit a group of single mums in Bristol and a "multi-dad" in Derby who claims 18 children by at least five partners. | 'Single dads are often pitied, while mums are scorned'I have been to visit a group of single mums in Bristol and a "multi-dad" in Derby who claims 18 children by at least five partners. |
| I've canvassed opinion from my friends, my parents, and politicians - specifically Iain Duncan Smith, who has compiled a policy report on social justice, and the schools minister Jim Knight. | I've canvassed opinion from my friends, my parents, and politicians - specifically Iain Duncan Smith, who has compiled a policy report on social justice, and the schools minister Jim Knight. |
| And I have been both surprised and reassured by what I have learnt from these people. Surprised because everyone, without exception, continues to respect the institution of marriage. | And I have been both surprised and reassured by what I have learnt from these people. Surprised because everyone, without exception, continues to respect the institution of marriage. |
| We hear a lot about "Broken Britain" and society's alternative values, but clearly the tradition of committing to spending your life with one other person still holds sway. | We hear a lot about "Broken Britain" and society's alternative values, but clearly the tradition of committing to spending your life with one other person still holds sway. |
| And I too believe in marriage and continue to respect it. But people will inevitably, and rightly, ask how I square that opinion with my well-documented affairs with married men. | And I too believe in marriage and continue to respect it. But people will inevitably, and rightly, ask how I square that opinion with my well-documented affairs with married men. |
| This reputation as a "husband snatcher" is something of an absurdity. When I married, I married for life. Yet, I know what it feels like to be left. My own husband left me when a bigger-busted secretary offered to sit behind his desk instead of in front of it. At no time did I blame the "other woman". | This reputation as a "husband snatcher" is something of an absurdity. When I married, I married for life. Yet, I know what it feels like to be left. My own husband left me when a bigger-busted secretary offered to sit behind his desk instead of in front of it. At no time did I blame the "other woman". |
| Crockery flying | Crockery flying |
| I have cohabited three times, been engaged twice and given birth before settling down to marry the father. I am a divorcee with paperwork pending and have spent the last two years as a single mother of two girls under three. Finally, I am cohabiting again. | I have cohabited three times, been engaged twice and given birth before settling down to marry the father. I am a divorcee with paperwork pending and have spent the last two years as a single mother of two girls under three. Finally, I am cohabiting again. |
| The modern dilemma for many: juggling the school run with a careerCohabiting allows you to road-test your potential victim without the encumbrance of life-long commitment. Yet all that attractive freedom and flexibility is also part of the problem. | The modern dilemma for many: juggling the school run with a careerCohabiting allows you to road-test your potential victim without the encumbrance of life-long commitment. Yet all that attractive freedom and flexibility is also part of the problem. |
| There is something transient about the relationship that makes it less durable when times are tough. When the kitchen crockery comes sailing over your head during a real humdinger, you are less likely to help sweep up and more likely to pack up and go. Which is what I did. | There is something transient about the relationship that makes it less durable when times are tough. When the kitchen crockery comes sailing over your head during a real humdinger, you are less likely to help sweep up and more likely to pack up and go. Which is what I did. |
| So, I am clear that I want to be married. I know that children do better if they have Mum and Dad around to look after them and it is a lot more fun than going it alone. | So, I am clear that I want to be married. I know that children do better if they have Mum and Dad around to look after them and it is a lot more fun than going it alone. |
| My discussions this week have reassured me that despite holding marriage as an ideal, we acknowledge that things don't always work out the way we plan. | My discussions this week have reassured me that despite holding marriage as an ideal, we acknowledge that things don't always work out the way we plan. |
| Proud and resolute | Proud and resolute |
| I live my life by my heart and not my head. Marriage is a political ideal but the reality sometimes is that the least you can do is to make sure you are in a healthy and stable home environment. | I live my life by my heart and not my head. Marriage is a political ideal but the reality sometimes is that the least you can do is to make sure you are in a healthy and stable home environment. |
| Politicians are in danger of making "the family" centre stage, whilst behind the scenes, the real issues of class, economic background, education and childcare continue to go unresolved. | Politicians are in danger of making "the family" centre stage, whilst behind the scenes, the real issues of class, economic background, education and childcare continue to go unresolved. |
| I stand by my decision to live my life in the way that I have. I am delighted that my children are as happy to see me leave for work, as they are when I come home. And I am proud that when I became a single mother, I decided that I would make myself completely independent. | I stand by my decision to live my life in the way that I have. I am delighted that my children are as happy to see me leave for work, as they are when I come home. And I am proud that when I became a single mother, I decided that I would make myself completely independent. |
| To all those that have had an opinion on me, I challenge you to take a look at your own life. I challenge you to question some of the truths of your own relationship. And I dare you to imagine what life would be like if you lived like you wanted instead of the way you thought you should. If I have offended people's sensibilities, then maybe they are just a little too sensible. | To all those that have had an opinion on me, I challenge you to take a look at your own life. I challenge you to question some of the truths of your own relationship. And I dare you to imagine what life would be like if you lived like you wanted instead of the way you thought you should. If I have offended people's sensibilities, then maybe they are just a little too sensible. |
| Katie Hopkins presents the 5Live Report on Sunday 19 August at 1000 BST | Katie Hopkins presents the 5Live Report on Sunday 19 August at 1000 BST |
Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| Katie, what a girl. Brutally honest with her heart on her sleeve. I think the one big thing that she has got right is that a lot of people live their lives the way the think they should and not the way they want too. Good girl, Katie, keep doing what you do.Darren, Worthing | |
| It often struck me whilst watching The Apprentice that when any of the guys said nasty or underhanded comments they were seen as loveable rogues, yet quite the opposite for the women. I'm not surprised this point was raised, and it does seem that many of us love to judge what others are up to.Spencer Payton, Amsterdam, Netherlands | |
| Brash and offensive are just two words that spring to when this woman's name is mentioned. Her stance on her career and self advancement seems to me to be completely at odds with what one would expect from a caring and loving mother. Besides, she did not win the Apprentice so why elevate her to a position which in my view, and doubtless many others, is undeserved and will only go further to boost her disgraceful conduct as a single mother. Chris Watkins, Bath | |
| Whatever one's own views on marriage - and personally, I think that a broken home where children receive real love and care is infinitely preferable to a loveless or abusive family with two parents - there can be no doubt that Katie Hopkins is right when she observes that women are judged far more harshly and negatively than men in similar situations, particularly single mothers. No wonder so many women in our society have often been conditioned to suffer in abusive marriages, regardless of the risk to their own safety and that of their children.Alex S, Durham, UK | |
| What a good idea! Let's all live like exactly how we want and to hell with how our actions affect anybody else. This is the perfect advice to any potential mistress. How very sad.Cat, London, England | |
| I never once judged you Katie you are bright intelligent, articulate, and you go for what you want. And my heart was in my mouth when Alan threw you the question regarding the move to London. What an astute man he was to spot it. You put your kids first and you parents (as I understood they were their main carers while you work. Commendable and thoughtful. As for affairs I never gave that a thought as you have been on the receiving end of one, and then went on to do it yourself, so what we are all adults. You bring home the bacon for your children what a pity there aren't more parents who want to do this!!! Whilst there maybe an affect on your children of not perhaps seeing you more the benefits certainly out way the negatives.Angela Rainbow, Solihull, West Midlands | |