In comments on my post on WILF Odd Jobs Robyn and Mark both asked about my sense of social justice and where that came from. I had never really thought about either having a “sense of social justice” as such or what had influenced that so I have taken a couple of days to mull it over.

Firstly though – to be sure that I understood what Social Justice meant I searched for a definition and this is the one I am working to

Social Justice – an interactive process whereby members of a community are concerned for the equality and rights for all

In the context of my original post then my community was made up of my work colleagues. And yes, I did not think it was right that I (or anyone else) was sent off my employer’s premises to do work without being clear about where responsibility for my safety and wellbeing lay. Much has changed in employment law and regulations in the UK – and Europe – since then. Every employer now has a duty of care  to their employees and the extent of this would have been clear to me then if those rules had existed.

So where did my sense of social justice come from and how has that developed over the years. I was about 17 in the story above. I think though I had a stong personal sense of fairness even when I was at Primary School and this can only have come from the example of my parents. Dad had a strong work ethic and was a great example to me on that front. Mum did (and still does) an enormous amount of voluntary work for all sorts of causes. She herself took a very emotionally and psychologically challenging job working with families who were in difficulties when my brother and I were at secondary school  which played to her strengths and allowed her to give “something back”.

So that sense of giving something of ourselves and/or giving something back as well as doing the right thing was very much in place by the time I took my fledgling steps into the independent world.

Now looking back this is really interesting. I do not claim to have led a blameless life but I do aim to live by what I believe to be basic Christian principles. I don’t make that statement to mark those out to be specific – I believe that beliefs and principles in other religions are equally valid and most that I know of are based on peace and living supportively and harmoniously within communities and right throughout the world.

I fundamentally believe in the right for others to do what they wish - remembering that with rights comes responsibilities - as long as nobody comes to harm by them doing so. That’s a tricky one  – I know. We all have differing views of harm.

I am a great “obeyer of rules”. Even when I can’t see the sense in them I will most likely comply. In fact I can’t think of a time when I broke a rule and I did not tie myself in knots afterwards! Equally I find myself admiring people who stand up against unfair rules to get them changed. My situation in the bank was not a matter of breaking a rule though. It was about pointing out when something which had become common practice was actually not that good an idea.

I guess my sense of social justice has led to me be doing what I am doing now with young people as I believe – cliched thoughit may sound – that they are our future and are far wiser than many of us oldies give them credit for ( or are prepared to consider).

Thanks to Robyn and Mark for asking the question. I love it when my readers really make me think.