According to the research commissioned by ADT, 83 per cent of Britons feel this country has a growing problem with anti-social behaviour. This view is reflected in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. When asked about the problem in Europe, 76 per cent of the 7,000 people taking part in this survey across the region thought Britain had a problem with anti-social behaviour – more than any other country.The study, devised with help from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at University College London, reveals the way Britons perceive problems facing this country:
- Booze culture is fuelling anti-social behaviour in Great Britain, with 68 per cent of people questioned feeling alcohol was a key contributor to the problem
- A breakdown of discipline in homes and schools is also seen by 79 per cent to be a major influencing factor in anti-social behaviour
- Nearly half of those questioned (49 per cent) thought stricter sentencing would help reduce the problem
- Six out of ten people would be unlikely to challenge a group of 14 year old boys vandalising a bus shelter
- Three quarters said young people aged 14 to 25 were most associated with anti-social behaviour
If we only look at our daily Dutch anti-social behaviour and just imagine that things are even worse on the other side of the pool.... I vote better education throughout Europe - and stricter sentencing-
11 comments:
Is it because of the growing sense of loss among the British about their primacy in Europe and the world and the growing competiton in all spheres of life.I think this holds good for Europe and America as well in the light of Bush warning the American youth to beware of their Indian and Chinese counterparts who are ready to work harder, do not drink and are available at lower wages...
I think the sentiments expressed by Europeans with regrads to anti-social behavior would be found in many Canadians as well. I agree with you that education would be a good step, but I might suggest another two as well- assist the family unit to become closer and stronger, and encourage a sense of community in schools and neighbourhoods. By engaging people and helping them to feel as though they belong and having meaning and purpose, I think this might improve many inappropriate social behaviors.
I've got a hobby-horse to ride about this one. I think the more we see the parents of young children working long hours, the more we're going to see the escalation of anti-social behaviour. It's well known in the adoption/fostering community that bonding issues are directly related to difficult, destructive behaviour, and it needs to be acknowledged that ALL small children NEED their parents to be present in order to bond with them. Short term investment in those first five years especially, pays off for a lifetime. I have relatives in Britain, and the society is absolutely chaotic.
I would say these issues need to be addressed before someone grows into an adult. Anti social behavior must start in childhood, so it can be stopped there. It is doubtful that much of anything can be done for adults who exhibit this behavior. Really parents are the answer and if they do nothing it will continue.
Tougher sentencing will only fill up the jails and prisons and create a breeding ground for more loutish behaviour.
I would think that a more equitable economy (the filthy rich can stay reach and the well-off can be well-off and the poor could still have decent wages, housing and education.
I'm with Madcap too - families are where a lot starts. There's a link between poverty, addiction, unemployment, poor schooling, absent parents etc.
Believe me - going tough on crime alone won't do it - just look at the US, with the largest prison population in the world (yet full of bad behaviour and crime).
you wonder what the solution is... will education be enough? because I doubt that punishment is the answer..
I too think families have a lot to do with the problems with kids.
I don't know enough about England to make an intelligent comment but I do know the USA. Many of our problems here stem directly from poverty.
Filling up the jails and building more seems to be our solution. I can't see that it's helped.
Belgium is having the same problem. Everything from kids vandaliziing local playgrounds, dog crap all over the sidewalks, pushing and shoving on the streets, huge racism problem. I do agree that it starts with families. I hear parents spouting racist sterotypes to their kids, not chiding them when they fail to use basic manners. I call it the "Me First" disease--I'm so important that everyone else just has to deal with it. I was shocked to find it worse here than in the Midwestern U.S. Education can help, but the parents have to be the first line.
I fully agree that family values are first priority. That's education too. In school, at home and on the street where we should correct other persons children too. But I still think punishment should be different.
Last week I attended the cup final. A few thousand heavily protected policeman and a complete cavallery is needed to oppres hooligans. They violate the law with brutal force and within five minutes they're out on the streets again.
We should stop being so god d%^&mned tolerant and kick ass where it is needed. Criminality and hooliganism is just a brief example. Our youth needs to know where they trespass limits.
Hi DA
My daughter taught briefly in the UK quite some time ago and was astounded by the situation in the Schools in the disadvantaged areas where Teachers had “given up". Schools were breeding grounds for "gangs". She was verbally abused and in one incidence pushed down the stairs.
The communities that give rise to this condition have families which have become dysfunctional and the “gang” mentality flourishes.
I expect it’s the same problems atht apply the world over.
In Australia our indigenous communities have succumbed to domestic violence, largely as consequence of alcohol. Consequently there is high degree of truancy at schhol, and early drop outs with little hope of future in the workforce. Circles of Justice and enlargement of dry areas by their Tribal elders seems to get the best results.
best wishes
That sounds like an awefull experience for your daughter Lindsay. I agree with you and the other commenters that it is up to our society to break the vicious circle. I have a tremendous faith in our youth though!
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