Is the PC Brigade responsible for the wave of teen violence in the UK?

Question

In all kids have far more opportunities than they did say 50 years ago, and yet the crime rate is soaring!

Personally, i think its to do with the break down of the traditional family, bad parenting, indiscipline in schools and the influence of african american urban music forms like rap, hip hop etc.

Much of that is due to the PC brigade, who insist on treating kids as "citizens" rather than children who need to be guided, taught and where necessary, disciplined.

For many years the "right on" brigade have had the education system in its grip, teachers are not allowed to teach in a traditional way, they are not allowed to discipline kids etc, and pupils have no respect or fear whatsoever for authority.

In many areas, the traditional nuclear family has simply ceased to exist, kids are produced with no more thought than that taken to produce a turd! There is often no father figure, often the mother does not work, and again the kids have no grounding or discipline at home.

Nothing is done about parents who abdicate responsibility for their kids either, there are no penalties for slack parents.

The police do little to these kids, if they are under 18, they no damn well they can get away with most things, and that the police, courts, CPS and local authorities are ineffectual.

Poverty isnt the cause, people were poorer in the 1940's and 1950s but there was nothing like the level of crime amongst teenagers...basically because family traditions were still strong, the school system was still strong, it wasnt illegal to smack or discipline your kids, or for a passer by to intervene if he saw kids misbehaving, and theb police were respected, had powers, and would use them!

I believe it is the Guardian reading, Politically Correct, alternative, champaign socialist types who have blood on their hands. They have derided the idea of the traditional family, traditional education and traditional forms of discipline for years. And as they basically run many local authorities, the school system, and are influential in the media and the judicial system, they have got away with it!

Answer 1

Good parenting is not the sole preserve of two parent families.There are very many excellent parents bringing up children on their own.
Personally I blame a combination of factors.The justice system which allows them to become repeat offenders by not punishing harshly enough.In todays society where both parents or the sole parent chooses or needs to go out to work through necessity very little time is left in each day to spend with children and influence them in a positive manner.I sometimes wonder if that could be the reason why there is a rise in gang culture,it gives them a sense of belonging that is missing from their family life.
You say often the mother does not work.I chose to stay at home and be a full time mother (a luxury not all can afford)specifically because I wanted to be the main influence in their life and ensure they grew up decent people.
There is no simple reason for or solution to society's downward spiral.

Answer 2

You make many good points. I live in canada, and it is no different here. Like you said children need to be treated as so. I grew up in a home where respect was a given and being a young child, I had to earn my place, my respect. slowly but surely, the children we see today are given no boundaries or is it that no boundaries are allowed to be made by parents or society? We are raising a generation that blatantly knows it doesn't matter if they shot someone or come home when they like, because honestly, what are you going to do about it? The support system for parents and citizens alike are being side stepped. Go to a counsellor and you'll see, it turns into "well what could you do better as a parent? Not even holding the child accountable for wrong doings. Family values have been replaced with video games and tube tops. Children are raised in daycares when small because both parents or one has to work to be able to get by. It is a social responsibility we all need to be accountable for, not just parents. Children are the main focus in entertainment and being "bad" is glorified, being a plastic girl, is glorified. I am happy to say though this year my daughters school has converted beck to the traditional school and considering she spends most of her day there, I am happy to know that the morals and values I instill in her will be carried out there as well. I could go on about this forever, but I just want to say thank you for a great question.

Answer 3

You raise some very valid points, especially regarding the PC brigade,but I have to disagree with you on the single parent part. Let me explain why.

I'm a single parent of a very good, well-disciplined, beautiful little girl. Her "father" walked out on me,...us, 2 weeks before I was due to give birth and we haven't seen him since. I do work, but only part-time as I don't feel right putting my child in nusery full-time (I know people have no choice sometimes and I am not judging these people), plus, I do need the money and don't feel comfortable with the taxpayers footing all th bill. I am taking my little girl to Disneyland Paris next year, and by the time we go, it will have taken me 2 1/2 years to save up for it, but my little girl will not miss out because I was stupid enough to trust the wrong person. I am also doing a writing course with the Writers Bureau and in November will be starting a Literature degree with the Open University. Also, I was 29 before I had my little girl. Lots of people are single parents through no fault of their own, so please don't tar us all with the same brush, it is neither fair nor accurate.
We seem to hear about a lot of youth crime in this day and age, but, just as an example, let's say that for every one of those youths, there are 50 leading exemplary lives. We never hear about those kids because they never do anything wrong. Are we being fair to them by generalising so much?


edit: Thank you, Saraleon, think I'm going to need it! Oh well. I never did do anything by halves!

Answer 4

I'm watching for the thumbs down First Ascent. Non existent, no suprise there. I guess the left-wing-liberal-do-gooders are having a dinner party. Of course these people are unique to Britain! No socialists in Europe are there?

We speak the same language as the other country with major social problems and over 2 million in jail. Guess who I am I talking about. I can't name the country because that would be anti-American.

As of 2006, a record 7 million people were behind bars, on probation or on parole.

"If it happens in America sooner or later it will happen here". So sadly true.

As far as physical chastisement of children is concerned, Sweden banned that many many years ago.

Answer 5

Yes of course they are fascists, they wish to impose their own views on other people. There is no freedom of speech anymore, if you say there is too much immigration, you are a racist, if you don't believe Mohamed was a prophet, you are Islamophobic, OH and you are also guilty of stirring up religious hatred! We have somehow allowed ourselves to become weak and gutless. All the political parties are singing from the same hymn sheet so what can we do? And before someone mentions BNP, i am not interested in them because they really are racist bigots! We have absolutely no freedom at all, you are quite correct, everything we do is monitored, where we go (CCTV) what we buy (bank and Internet transactions) who we talk to (our phones can be tapped) what we look up on the Internet, what we read, etc its frightening. Big Brother really is watching you.

Answer 6

The one parent familyis not the problem.
The problem is the children not being brought up with discipline, whether they have one parent, two parents or none at all.

Children need to learn from the outset, that there are rules and regulations and consequences for their actions.

This clearly has not happened for many years now and it is this lawless generation of yougster who are approaching, or have reached "Adulthood", who are now causing the rapid decline in the quality of life for everyone.

They will go on to teach (or should I say not teach), the same lack of values to their own children and the snowball effect escalates.

Answer 7

Well said! The liberal, chattering classes, so called intelligentzia have done untold damage to our society. They have been in control for many years now and even Margaret Thatcher didn't challenge their insidious mantra.

Good manner and politeness became scorned as 'deference'. From there we were told to 'do our own thing' and 'let it all hang out' etc.

It hasn't taken long before spoilt brats have become feral youths, with no civilising influence and no humanity.

The Childrens' Act did not stop child abuse, it put children in charge. Children do not have the responsibility or the experience to be in charge but do they ever rule the roost. In far too many cases their parents are downtrodden by their children because they dare not impose discipline.
The rest of the public are scared of them.

If the Tories really want to get elected they should stop blathering about mending a 'broken society' and give us hard facts as to what they intend.

Answer 8

Couldn't have put it better myself. Taking direct control over the upbringing of children are the tactics employed by left wing totalitarian regimes, because they see the family as a threat to their authority.

Undermine the family, and encourage the breakdown of society in as many different ways as possible, then, use the resultant chaos as an excuse for increasing direct Governmental control over the populace, particularly children, aided, and abetted, by a compliant left wing educational establishment and TV media.

Answer 9

I find myself in complete agreement with all the points that you have made.
I must add that two major contributors to these circumstances are forty years of socialism that have funded the production of wasteful eaters that would have remained unborn without the heavy subsidies from working people and the introduction of comprehensive education that enabled pupils to fail in mediocre academic environment rather than succeed in technical and practical education establishments.

Answer 10

My son respects me. I would hate it if he feared me. There is a difference.
You say the mother often doesn't work - I believe the half the problem is that the mother DOES work, and the kids are brought up by daycare from such an early age. The first 3 years are the most important, and they need to form an attatchment to their parents, and learn to trust and love, and care about other people.