Madeline & Shannon

Madeleine Mccan & Shannon Matthews

During the Madeleine Mccann article it is revealed that her parents are more socially stable than Shannon Matthews Mother, (and family). This can be discovered by the fact Madeleine's family were abroad in an apartment (sold to the British grand for £113,000) when she was reported missing whereas Shannon become missing in Dewsbury West Yorkshire, where she lived in a council house. This outlines the social divide. Also the Mccan’s were even able to have private conversation between the PM and themselves, however Matthews’ family were restricted to public interviews and conversations, or conversations that were recorded eg: the police station. The Mccan’s being more finically stable and more socially acceptable were able to do things and had more power within the situation than the Matthews’ due to class.

Although Shannon Matthew’s community, friends and family were raising money and determined to support her family unlike the Mccan’s her family were not able to afford professional help such as child phycologist. Madelines parents were able to fly a professional to Portugal connoting their wealth and privileges. 'We're not going back without Madeleine', her family were given options to help their well being. Also showing their support throughout even though it was in fact their own actions that cause Madeline’s kidnapping. Though Matthew’s Mother is responsible before it was revealed it was in fact very obvious about the lack of support she received compared to Madeline’s family.

Mccan’s also had a lot of help from around the world with more than £300,000 in the "find Madeleine" fund, they want to spend every penny carefully. "There is nothing more I would like to see than Madeleine walking in so we could use the fund to find other missing children," Gerry says. But he must know that the likelihood of that is fading daily. Their first mission will be a series of trips around Europe in the hope of keeping Madeleine's profile high. "Spain will be first, probably Madrid and Seville," he explains. "The majority of tourists who come to Portugal come from there. After that it will be Berlin, beginning in a fortnight, and then Holland. We lived in Amsterdam for a year, so we already have a good network of support there." The idea will be to meet politicians and child charities, anyone, as Gerry says, who can help keep Madeleine's haunting image in the public eye. Mccans family being wealthy and upper-class were more appealing to the public therefore they gained more sympathy and empathy, however Matthew’s family were seen as “chavs” therefore had less coverage in the news as well. Companies like the Sun supported Matthew’s family however Mccan’s had a coverage from around the world, even having interviews with Oprah Winfrey.

Also the police and investigators had suspicions about Matthew’s mother but the Mccan’s were mainly only blamed but never were investigated on harming Madeline themselves.

Therefore it is obvious that due to wealth and class that individuals can gain more sympathy and empathy from the public and police showing the negative sides of media.