WHATEVER happened to the famous British stiff upper-lip and that nationalistic stoicism and bravery in the face of adversity?

Well, that’s not something we do anymore – if you take a quick look at how university students are apparently being encouraged to behave.

According to at least one newspaper, universities are forced to issue “trigger warnings” ahead of lectures in case there is disturbing material discussed.

In other words, don’t bother facing up to anything difficult when you can simply ignore it. I’m afraid this isn’t just happening at universities as it’s now endemic to try to “protect” people in advance from anything upsetting.

Just watch the TV news and they warn viewers if there is something that fits into this category. While I understand a warning of flashing images for those suffering from photo-sensitive epilepsy, why can’t people see something like child victims of the Syrian bombings and be allowed to be upset and shocked?

It is shock and upset that changes the world, not hiding from issues that might alarm us. Many of the great-grandfathers of today’s students were only a similar age when they were conscripted into the Second World War to fight the tyranny that threatened to engulf this country.

They weren’t excused the war because it might trouble them. They just accepted that this was life, often serving with amazing bravery. On the home-front, Brits showed great stoicism as bombs reigned down. Winston Churchill’s historic speech in the House of Commons declaring that this was “our finest hour” reflected how the nation dealt with wartime and all it meant.

Last week, the words of Chorley-born Charles Lightoller emerged, showing that this spirit has long been part of our heritage. He was second lieutenant on the ill-fated Titanic, surviving against the odds. But when he and fellow officers met on the deck, they kept calm and as they continued to keep calm for passengers, and their restrained farewells to each other were simply “Goodbye, old man.”

No screaming. No shirking. They faced death so bravely. Death, mind you, not something to make them mildly upset. Life today is full of difficult situations that we all have to meet at some time. We really can’t hide from them forever, and they help to make us the strong individuals that we are. Why encourage young people to be less than that?