London / UK Riots

[goddamniamsoawesome]

Re: London - riots

@Colourful eyes

Your post suggests that these teenagers have themselves to blame for their misfortune but I would respectfully disagree. These teenagers are at a disadvantage to begin with compared to others who are brought up in more influential areas. Although, I agree that the majority of these kids have probably just got on the bandwagon to get freebies and have fun, there is bigger issues that need to be addressed by the government and that is thinking about the future of youths.
I agree, they do need more role models, but before role models they need stability which needs to be provided by the love and support of a family. However, like u said many of these kids are either brought up by either extended family or single parents (and lets not forget children from care homes). Therefore, the issue lays in educating parents and carers and giving them the support they need.

I have briefly studied the youth in the London area and it appears the government hasn’t made it easy (in the earlier days) by first of all segregating ethnic/class groups across the capital which has led to deprivation in certain areas and a lack of understanding for each others cultures and beliefs. Then (IMO) there is the big issue of parenting, there is evidence to support that single mothers working a low paid job will take on an authoritarian parenting style (extremely strict) who will often turn to physical abuse as a means of punishment which can mentally effect the child and their home relationship. This then leads the children to finding comfort in others ie. friends. like I already said in my earlier post these kids dont understand the value of community, caring or loving they just think about themselves and are just plain greedy. They might be thugs and criminals now, but I dont believe its their fault for what they have become but more socities fault.

I mentioned that yes, there are issues. I do not absolve the past governments and their policies from blame. I sympathise with a lot of the disadvantaged youth from a lot of these ‘ghettos’. Not the ones that act upon their whims though. My objection was to the opinion that somehow that justifies this behaviour. It does not. Issues need to be addressed and at some point in time they might have been disadvantaged. But like I mentioned, if so many of them can find a way out then I don’t quite see why a lot of them should still be lingering in unsavoury environments. There are community outreach programs, a great deal of time and money goes into that kind of stuff. Why still do these youngsters choose to live this life?

Also, I wouldn’t limit this to just youngsters in the ghetto. I know of a lot of ‘well off’ families who have problems with youth. The looters aren’t all disadvantaged or troubled. Most are there just for the freebies now. Like any society, there is a disadvantaged segment. The issue would be if society wasn’t doing anything to offset that. My reservation is that society is infact doing a lot to counter such past prejudices. If I’m being handed a way out on a platter and I don’t accept it because I want something better, quicker and with more thrill involved then honestly I don’t deserve any sympathy.