It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the

It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the

Bettany Hughes
22/09/2025
22/09/2025

It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.

(1 evaluate)
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the coolest place, who's in the coolest street. Suddenly we're having to engage with all those social pressures. It's helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you've always got a choice.
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the
It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the

Hearken, O seekers of wisdom and guides of the young, to the words of Bettany Hughes, who reflects: “It’s become this sort of strange competition about who’s in the coolest place, who’s in the coolest street. Suddenly we’re having to engage with all those social pressures. It’s helpful, I find, as a mother and a teacher, to say you’ve always got a choice.” In these words lies a meditation on the forces that shape perception, desire, and conformity, and on the enduring power of autonomy, guidance, and discernment. The ancients understood well that human beings are often buffeted by the currents of envy, status, and expectation, and that the cultivation of wisdom requires both courage and reflection.

Hughes observes the modern phenomenon of competition and social comparison, where the value of life is measured not by virtue, knowledge, or character, but by the fleeting markers of trend and prestige. The ancients, from the Stoics to the philosophers of Athens, warned of this very peril: when the soul becomes entangled in the opinions of others, it risks loss of self, distraction, and moral confusion. Hughes, speaking from her dual role as mother and teacher, illuminates the antidote: the recognition that one possesses the power of choice even amidst external pressures.

Consider the meaning of choice in this context. It is not merely the freedom to act, but the cultivation of discernment, the ability to weigh the transient allure of popularity against the enduring values of integrity, curiosity, and compassion. To teach, or to parent, is to instill this capacity in others: to help the young see that the tides of social expectation need not dictate the course of their lives. In this lies a timeless principle: self-mastery and conscious decision are more powerful than the approval of the crowd.

History offers a luminous example. Socrates, who walked the streets of Athens speaking truth and questioning authority, faced immense social pressures to conform. Yet he chose the path of wisdom and integrity, accepting criticism and even death rather than surrendering his principles. Hughes’ counsel echoes this ancient lesson: no matter the allure of trend or peer approval, the sovereignty of choice remains a guiding star, a compass through the storms of influence.

Hughes also underscores the dual responsibility of her roles. As a mother, she must nurture discernment and resilience in her children; as a teacher, she must empower her students to navigate the pressures of society with clarity. Both roles converge in the cultivation of agency: the understanding that every individual, regardless of circumstance, has the capacity to choose their path, to resist the seduction of conformity, and to act with intentionality.

Practical guidance flows naturally from this meditation. Observe the currents of social pressure in your own life, whether in status, work, or personal ambition. Pause before yielding to the allure of comparison or fleeting prestige. Reflect on your values, priorities, and purpose, and act from this inner compass. Encourage others, especially the young, to recognize that choice is ever-present, and that true freedom arises when action aligns with conviction rather than imitation.

O listener, perceive the timeless lesson here: life is fraught with distractions, envy, and subtle coercions, yet wisdom is found in embracing conscious choice. By guiding others and practicing discernment yourself, you reclaim the power to live intentionally. The coolest street or place matters not; what endures is the integrity and clarity with which one navigates the world.

Thus, O seeker, engrave this truth upon your heart: the currents of social pressure are strong, yet you are not bound by them. Whether as a mother, teacher, or individual, remember that every moment presents the power to choose—to act with purpose, uphold your values, and guide others toward autonomy. In this recognition lies freedom, strength, and the profound ability to shape both life and legacy.

Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes

Cite this Page: Citation

With the author

I think it's ironic when Plato makes the learned woman Aspasia Socrates' teacher, but I think women crop up more in the Platonic dialogues than they do normally in texts of the period, and in an un-hysterical way.

Bettany Hughes

The presence of industrial quantities of Byzantine pottery dating from the sixth century AD on the headland at Tintagel, Chinese silk in the tombs around Mecca and 'Arabic' numerals in the 13th-century beams of Salisbury Cathedral tell us we have been interdependent not for decades but across millennia.

Bettany Hughes

I do think that history lived, and a life lived, is as much to do with the birdsong you heard that morning as any great event.

Bettany Hughes

A number of politicians have failed to recognise the consistent truth of history: that we're both an emotional and a rational species, and that we make decisions very emotionally.

Bettany Hughes

Cricket's in the blood - my dad loves it and my brother Simon played for Middlesex before becoming a radio and TV cricket commentator.

Bettany Hughes

Forgiveness gives you a chance to be fulfilled rather than be eaten up with anger.

Bettany Hughes

Europe's leaders need to sit down with Socrates for a night; a life unexamined is not worth living. We have to remember that, as he says, the pursuit of wealth should never be at the expense of wisdom.

Bettany Hughes

I wrote my first history book when I was four. I still have it so I can prove it.

Bettany Hughes

Same category

None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody - a parent, a teacher, an Ivy League crony or a few nuns - bent down and helped us pick up our boots.

Thurgood Marshall

My father was a teacher, and there were teachers all around, his friends, they were working for the Government and their behaviour was within strictly limited areas.

C. L. R. James

For one thing, I teach my students what my teacher for twenty years, Paul Gavert, told me, 'The voice follows... the voice follows everything about you... who you are.'

Betty Buckley

I was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, the youngest of four girls, including my oldest sister, Lisa, who has special needs. My mom was a special education teacher, and my dad worked on the Army base. We weren't wealthy, but we were determined to succeed.

Eva Longoria

As a teacher you are more or less obliged to pay the same amount of attention to everything. That can wear you down.

Marilyn Hacker

The last person to teach me how to act was my A-level Theatre Studies teacher at school, which I literally still draw on. Got an A!

Joe Thomas

When people lack teachers, their tendencies are not corrected; when they do not have ritual and moral principles, then their lawlessness is not controlled.

Xun Kuang

There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fill you with so much quail shot that you can't move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.

Robert Frost
Tocpics Related

Rod Stewart Quotes

Kristen Wiig Quotes

Fernando Pessoa Quotes

Romain Rolland Quotes

Norman Schwarzkopf Quotes

Mom Quotes

Christmas Quotes

Austin Peck Quotes

Notable authors

Lena Headey

Sumner Redstone

Nancy Dubuc

Becca Kufrin

Frank Carlucci

Jenny Shipley

David Gerrold

U Thant

Have 0 Comment It's become this sort of strange competition about who's in the

AAdministratorAdministrator

Welcome, honored guests. Please leave a comment, we will respond soon

Reply.
Information sender
Leave the question
Click here to rate
Information sender