Similarities Between Mccann And Madeleine Case
Two children, Two dates…. May 2007 and Feb 2008, Madeleine McCann and Shannon Matthews. One family hailing from the middle-class suburbs of Leicestershire the other from the working-class council estate of Dewsbury Moor in West Yorkshire. Whilst one family were enjoying a holiday in a Portuguese resort the other was living a more under privileged existence in Yorkshire, however less than one year later both girls would strangely disappear.
The first anyone heard or saw anything associated with the Madeleine case was on the British and Portuguese news, who were reporting that a young girl had gone missing from a family villa without an apparent trace. Rewards were offered by numerous wealthy celebrities and the Sun newspaper for the safe return, or any information regarding her disappearance. The people of Dewsbury Moor however, who had also months previously heard and witnessed the whole media circus surrounding the McCann case were now themselves faced with a missing child and the circumstances being reported, were that on her way home from after a school swimming class the little girl had just simply vanished. …show more content…
The only similarities between both cases were that both children had “vanished” and that both sets of parents were emotionally televised clutching their daughters favourite teddies.
Regardless of the case similarities the children were not viewed as equals, which is reflected when the cash rewards started coming in for their safe return. Madeleines plight received two point six million pounds, whereas Shannon received a mere twenty-five thousand although rising to fifty thousand pounds. Thus, opening the public and media flood gates citing prejudice and hate against the working class and the people of Dewsbury Moor, who were in fact offering their own money (not that they had a lot) to try and ensure the safe return of Shannon Matthews to her worried
family.
More than three weeks later, thankfully Shannon was found alive at a house on the Moor estate, which belonged to her mothers partner named Craig Meehan, their plan was to fraudulently pocket the reward money offered by friends and the Sun newspaper, little did they both know the amount would never be the same colossal amount the McCanns received. Meanwhile in the Algarve the press was all over, interviewing the mother of Madeleine who tightly clutched Madeleines favourite teddy that she lovingly named “Cuddle Cat”, these images were seen all over the world and the professions of Gerry and Kate were brought to light as both were well respected workers in the Medical profession, yet left three children alone at night whilst they dined with friends yards away.
After months of donations through media and public appeals the little girl was not found, the question that remains is why.
Why were the McCanns not arrested for neglect for leaving three young children alone, which would normally be deemed as neglect and the parents would be subsequently arrested….as was Karen Matthews.
What people did not want to admit being the facts, was that the Matthews were working class and the McCanns were middle class and newspaper reports and politicians certainly seemed to be on the side of the McCanns.
This case truly shows great bias towards the middle class and what they can and cannot get away with due to their background and success, what sadly will never be changed is the fact that two children suffered greatly, one has been found and been damaged for life, the other went through a terrifying experience and could still be out there somewhere, also not forgetting her two siblings who must live with this forever, and depending on individual perceptions both sets of parents committed a crime.
Word Count 624.
The first anyone heard or saw anything associated with the Madeleine case was on the British and Portuguese news, who were reporting that a young girl had gone missing from a family villa without an apparent trace. Rewards were offered by numerous wealthy celebrities and the Sun newspaper for the safe return, or any information regarding her disappearance. The people of Dewsbury Moor however, who had also months previously heard and witnessed the whole media circus surrounding the McCann case were now themselves faced with a missing child and the circumstances being reported, were that on her way home from after a school swimming class the little girl had just simply vanished. …show more content…
The only similarities between both cases were that both children had “vanished” and that both sets of parents were emotionally televised clutching their daughters favourite teddies.
Regardless of the case similarities the children were not viewed as equals, which is reflected when the cash rewards started coming in for their safe return. Madeleines plight received two point six million pounds, whereas Shannon received a mere twenty-five thousand although rising to fifty thousand pounds. Thus, opening the public and media flood gates citing prejudice and hate against the working class and the people of Dewsbury Moor, who were in fact offering their own money (not that they had a lot) to try and ensure the safe return of Shannon Matthews to her worried
family.
More than three weeks later, thankfully Shannon was found alive at a house on the Moor estate, which belonged to her mothers partner named Craig Meehan, their plan was to fraudulently pocket the reward money offered by friends and the Sun newspaper, little did they both know the amount would never be the same colossal amount the McCanns received. Meanwhile in the Algarve the press was all over, interviewing the mother of Madeleine who tightly clutched Madeleines favourite teddy that she lovingly named “Cuddle Cat”, these images were seen all over the world and the professions of Gerry and Kate were brought to light as both were well respected workers in the Medical profession, yet left three children alone at night whilst they dined with friends yards away.
After months of donations through media and public appeals the little girl was not found, the question that remains is why.
Why were the McCanns not arrested for neglect for leaving three young children alone, which would normally be deemed as neglect and the parents would be subsequently arrested….as was Karen Matthews.
What people did not want to admit being the facts, was that the Matthews were working class and the McCanns were middle class and newspaper reports and politicians certainly seemed to be on the side of the McCanns.
This case truly shows great bias towards the middle class and what they can and cannot get away with due to their background and success, what sadly will never be changed is the fact that two children suffered greatly, one has been found and been damaged for life, the other went through a terrifying experience and could still be out there somewhere, also not forgetting her two siblings who must live with this forever, and depending on individual perceptions both sets of parents committed a crime.
Word Count 624.