Child Prodigy in Britain became a prostitute later

We all want our kids to be intelligent – actually super intelligent – right? But does that help? I just came across a story of a super intelligent girl, Sufiah Yusof, a child prodigy who got admission into Oxford University at the age of 13. In fact two of her siblings also got admitted in teen age as well. Their father Farooq used to drive them by keeping the house cold for more concentration in studies and psychologically abusing them.

Recently, it came out that Sufiah, divorced already, was hiring herself out on an internet site similar to Cleos On Nile as a prostitute and Asian escort at £130 and hour, using the alias Shilpa Lee! Meanwhile her father Farooq has been booked for physically groping and assaulting two 15 years old girls whom he taught as a tutor. So his wife, Halimahton, a devout Muslim lady, divorced him.

Telegraph gives some history on other child prodigies. I am afraid their stories are not very inspiring either.

Ruth Lawrence: Graduated aged 13 from St Hugh’s College, Oxford, with a first-class degree in 1985. Now lives with husband and two children – whom she is determined to allow to “develop in a natural way” – in Jerusalem and teaches maths full-time at the Hebrew University.

John Nunn: Went to Oriel College, Oxford, in 1970 aged 15. Got a first in maths at 18, a doctorate at 20 and became a chess Grandmaster three years later. Lives with his wife in Surrey and makes a living writing books about chess.

Adam Dent: Started reading chemistry at St Hugh’s College, Oxford in 1994 aged 14. Left the following year, having been accused and then acquitted of sexual assault on an older pupil. Did an Open University degree and got a job stacking shelves at Iceland. Later went back to Oxford (this time to St Catherine’s) and graduated with a first in chemistry in 2002. Is now an IT consultant.

James Harries: Presented himself on television – most memorably on Terry Wogan’s chat show in 1990 when he was 12 – as an entrepreneur and child prodigy with an encyclopaedic knowledge of antiques. Had a sex change operation in 2001. Now called Lauren, she is a counsellor and also teaches drama in Cardiff.

Terence Judd: Made his first appearance as a classical pianist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra aged 12. Won the British Liszt Piano Competition at 18. He committed suicide in 1979 at the age of 22 by throwing himself off Beachy Head.

Of course, the story of Sufiah has been shocking to many in Britain, specifically those who knew her – according to whom, she could have made money in a more legit way, given her astounding intelligence! – and to the Muslim community in general. As you can see from above examples, its not about religion but about how super brains can become self-destructive!

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