I was extremely saddened by what was going on, it actually made me shed a few tears, I just thought the whole thing was really really sad. I am not going to pretend that I have an answer or reasons for all this, there are a myriad of reasons, but I can give my point of view based on what I know.
Some people are saying that there is nothing for youths to do; firstly, I grew up with parents who had very little money. My mum chose to stay at home to look after us kids (4 of us, all under the age of 8 at one point) and my dad worked for a pretty low wage. We had very little, no computer games stations, no designer clothes (clothes from charity shops) a modest amount of toys an undecorated house etc. When we moved into our house which my dad worked hard to pay for, it had no central heating and my dad had to re-wire the electrics. I know what it is like to be cold. We weren't hungry because money was spend on things we needed not on things we wanted. In free time I went to a church youth group and played with my friends.
So my point is, there is plenty for young people out there to do that it not criminal, they have to be creative and come up with things or else their parents need to give them ideas for things to do, however they nor their parents seem to have the capacity for this perhaps partly because they are so used to having their brains filled with stimulation from video games, films, tv, computers etc. They are not able to come up with things to do. I had little growing up but I did not resort to theft.
Some people are saying that the people thieving and robbing were poor, I don't agree with this, the people who "rioted" found out about it through twitter and facebook, so clearly the can afford I phones, blackberries, or computers with the internet, it they cannot afford to eat of heat themselves then they should not have mobile phones for a start.
Some people are saying that the youths taking part haven't had the opportunities of others, I disagree with this; I am a secondary school teacher and all children have the same educational opportunities given to them up to the age of 18. They have to take the opportunities and choose to use them to their advantage. Many pupils in my school do not appreciate the value of the free education that they are being given. I am not saying that the education system is perfect but it is there and it can help people to change their life prospects if they choose to use it and make the most of it.
Some people are saying that it is society's fault that these kids are running round playing havok, because their needs haven't been met, well I am sorry that my points are not very cohesive or eloquent, but I feel strongly that I am in no way to blame for people who act in this way, they are making bad choices and not taking responsibility.
Wonderful!!! I 100% agree!!! We deal with this stuff over here in the States all the time, and it seems parental and youth apathy is a global epidemic now. I do fear for the future sometimes.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Hels!
I think some of the things their brains are being filled with are extremely violent games, computer games, and some of the stuff is twisted.. it kind of desensitises people to how bad it really is,I also agree that with everything on tap, info at the tip of a keyboard etc. there is not a lot of incentive to make their own entertainment they just zone out on the net..which leads to passivity and the only easy way to get their kicks is through violence... there is also an excitement factor to it all and they have been thinking they can get away with it. I would say some of them haven't been taught correct boundaries etc. but one person that got caught was a teacher! another girl from a very rich background so can't say it's one particular group of people.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic !! :(
ReplyDeleteI completely agree. It's this overwhelming sense of entitlement a lot of these people (children and adults) have that is making society this way. Like the world owes them something. They don't see that most people get places by focusing, being respectful, dedicated and picking themselves up again and again and again and again after failure and NOT playing a victim all the time. NOT making excuses all the time. I only know a handful of people who have gone through life unscathed. I myself have been a victim but I've fought exceptionally hard to get where i am. It wasnt given to me just because I had a rather epic sob story or two. I think a BBC reporter highlighted the case very well yesterday when he approached a group of kids dressed head to toe in designer gear and asked their opinion. They still felt the riots were the best thing to happen and that they're hard done by.
ReplyDeletePure greed and a totally warped perspective on those who have worked hard and taken what they've been given in life and used it for good rather then thrown it around violently as an excuse. Nothing worse then a person who insists on remaining a victim.
I totally agree with your post. I work with young people and sadly if they can blame others for their actions, they do. It's a real shame, but I've seen some with real potential to make something of their lives, waste their chances. Let's hope we all learn something from the last week.
ReplyDeleteClare
xx