Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

RESPECT

The Prime Minister has stated that he wishes to establish a culture of respect. There is little doubt that the prevailing yob/rights/me me me culture is getting out of hand and needs to be tackled. The problem takes many forms: from groups of youths gathering locally intimidating others through their behaviour, language and numbers; a lack of respect for teachers, police and those in authority rendering them unable to keep order; to the latest craze sweeping some cities of groups of teenagers selecting a victim at random to attack, filming the assault on a mobile phone camera, and no doubt chuckling over the gruesome pictures later, knocking back the vodka. How did we get here?

There are many reasons. There has been a complete collapse of a values framework in recent years. For all its imperfections, the church used to provide our country with a clear set of values (love your neighbour, do your best, respect those in authority etc) that used to shape our society. That voice has now been sidelined, to be replaced by the message that we can each create our own set of values. The collapse of stable families has led to irresponsible parenting in some chaotic households, producing youngsters who have never known love or security, never been taught right from wrong. The media daily asserts that personal gratification is all that matters and that any lifestyle or code of conduct is as valid as any other. We have lost a sense of mutual respect, public morality, family and community. There are doubtless other reasons too.
What are we at Westminster going to do about it?

I would like to take the next 4 weeks in these articles to discuss what I think might be done, breaking down the potential areas for intervention into: the home; school; the community and finally the media. I will start next week with some thoughts about how there might be effective intervention in homes where things are going astray – a very difficult, but crucial area.

Let me finish this week on a few positives. Most young people are fantastic and full of potential and we should not tar everyone with the same brush. It is important not to exaggerate the scale of the problem. Our region is less affected (so far) than other parts of the country.

I also believe in the human spirit. We will get through this, but only if we make the right decisions.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, May 31, 2005