What's wrong with the youths?

What causes young people in different countries to act so differently? The Institute for Public Policy Research found that " teenagers in the UK are more likely than their counterparts in Europe to abuse drink and drugs, have underage sex, join gangs and get into fights." That was surprising to me after the youth' riots in France two years in a row. It made me start thinking about American youth ... and youth around the world. Researchers asked:

Is social inequality to blame or is it lack of discipline? What can be done to ensure that future generations are better behaved? Is the situation best tackled by parents, teachers, community groups or the government?

I'll be happy to answer those questions.

First, NO, social inequality does not destine an individual to rebel. Being poor does not equal growing up to be a social reject.

Second, NO, lack of discipline does not necessarily mean a child will turn out bad. However, proper home life, discipline, rules, order, love, and a strong family unit DO help to form 'skulls of mush' into law-abiding adults. There are no guarantees.

Third, what can be done to ensure that future generations are better behaved? Get the government out of family decisions. Let parents send their children to the school THEY think will provide the best education. Let parents be in charge of discipline for children without fear the child will sue them if they get a palm to the butt when they misbehave.

Julia Margo, senior research fellow at the Institute, said: “Britain has a real problem with its teenagers. Today’s announcement is an admission that successive Governments have left British youth to its own devices.”

Researchers concluded that the situation has been fueled by social inequality that condemns poor children to an inferior life. The report also found that British adolescents spend less time with adults than young people in other countries. (The Telegraph)

In a comment at the above article, one Brit living in America had this to say:

The US is still a young country. ... Of course, there is crime but my point is there isn't the same feeling of failure of the younger generation vis a vis their parents. For them the world will be a better place.

Americans STILL HAVE HOPE for a better future. Isn't that an amazing thought. The inference is that the British (and some other European countries, and maybe Middle Eastern countries, and ....) no longer have that hope of a bright future.

Other comments include the following:

Freedom only works if people use it to choose to be decent, (comment by Ex-Marine) [snip]

In order to suceed in the world, children need, in my opinion, the following:

1. A mother and a father (preferably married)
2. A clean, safe home.
3. A good moral compass. (comment by Marcia Harding) [snip]

sounds like my generation growing up in the '60s, with same same accompaniment of old farts complaining about how it used to be better (comment by Andrew Dale)

Notice no where does anyone suggest that having money makes one a better citizen. Growing up to be a strong, independent, productive member of any society, partially depends on having good role models. That may be a downfall for America's youths, as this article at Insight on Freedom notes: "Democrats, Ineffective in the House and Senate, will be Ineffective in the White House, too!" Neither Democrats or Republicans have much to brag about when it comes to leadership skills these days.

A discussion about children/young people around the world, we must mention the children of Hamas and Hezbollah parents. They use icons like Micky Mouse and the new "bee" to indoctrinate children from birth to suicide belt, teaching them hate of anything and anyone who is not Muslim. What chance do these children have?

Compare those Muslim children to Israeli children, who are taught to love, respect, and care for people of all races and nationalities. They are also taught how to protect themselves from those who would try and take away their freedoms.

What say you?

Be sure to read "The Building Blocks Of Dysfunction" at Sigmund, Carl and Alfred, which includes excerpts from Dr. Sanity's "Paranoia and Projection In The Arab World: The Externalization Of Blame For Arab/Islamic Dysfunction" and Shrinkwrapped "The Non-Sense Debate Over The NIE Estimate."

If you want to read some of the things American 'youths' are involved in, check out "Voices From The Front" at Wake Up America.

On a lighter note: I received an email from the publisher of clean: the humble art of zen-cleansing, by Michael De Jong. In the email, the following are the "selling points": "This book serves as a valuable resource for "Green-Cleaning" and clearly strikes a chord with those who are looking to make a positive impact on the environment. ... Teresa Heinz Kerry and Alexandra Gorman (of Women's Voices for the Earth) have praised the book highly and it has been a featured resource during Al Gore's "The Climate Project" seminars. " heh, that settles it, I won't be buying the book.

Other world news:

President Bush Pledges Help For Military Wounded, at Eagle World News.
ED KOCH SEES THE LIGHT!, BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS
The Case For Bombing Iran, The Freedom Fighter's Journal
Plan B, on a roll, from Guide to the Perplexed
123Beta, John Doe Lives

Comments

[Freedom Now]

Its almost funny that Europeans look down at our culture as violent yet they are no different and in many ways worse.

The football hooligan problem results in rioting and violence all events pitting one European country against another. While France keeps racking up nightly car burning attacks as if that was normal.

They say we dont know how to treat Muslims but we dont have half the problems with Muslims living in the U.S. that Europe has.

[spree]

I sooooo loved your answers!! The Government shouldn't be trying to micromanage a parents job of parenting.

A spanking never hurt anyone, if more of the brats had been spanked as children, they might be as out of control as they are now.

Good for you!!!!

[Butch]

Is social inequality to blame or is it lack of discipline?

My family was poor as dirt when I was growing up. Since we did not have a father to speak of mom relied on government support (aid and food stamps).

Not once did we set fire to something, damage a neighbor's property or start a fight.

Yeah, parents are that important. Really.

God rest her soul...

[Christi]

Great post, Debbie. You hit the nail on the head with this one. I grew up dirt poor, too. But there is nothing - nothing - that can keep a person down if they are instilled with discipline and personal responsibility.

The government needs to get out of the family because I've seen firsthand what their handouts and programs can do to 'help' poor people. It starts as dependency and then turns into idleness and then moral decay finally sets in. It is sick.

[Debbie]

Thanks Christi, Butch, Spree and Freedom Now. I appreciate the personal insights. I just couldn't pass this one up.

[Donald Douglas]

Interesting: I do know that families who are more affluent aren't going to have as many problems. To me, it's a cultural problem - we need more of an aspirational, achievement-oriented culture among those of the underclass. You're absolutely right that gov't cannot change those ingrained social, cultural problems. Traditional family values would help though!

[wordbearer]

I blogged on this yesterday as well. The problems with kids are deeply rooted in the rejection of traditional values.

Freedom Now: You hit the nail on the head. I hate talking to Europeans who bash America as violent when they tink that a soccer game is incomplete without a riot. I have been to many professional sporting events in the US and never seen a fight in the stands.