15-Nov-2003, 02:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by steve.w
[br At least if young people are together on the streets they are socialising, they are learning communication and social skills, they are learning about friendship and feeling part of a group.
Steve, I wouldn't feel angry about young people congregating on the street if that was all they were doing. Unfortunately once they're under the influence of more drink than they're capable of handling, their behaviour moves on from socialising to the anti-social. Last year our neighbourhood was selected as the meeting point for a loud-mouthed group of teens and we were subject to alcopop bottles thrown into our gardens, along with fag packets, food wrappers, sanitary protection and condoms (lovely!), branches being torn off trees and the cats who live over the road had stones thrown at them. When I remonstrated with the kids I got the porch egged for my trouble. Elderly neighbours were too frightened to go out in the evening.
That group has grown up or moved on of late, but in the next road the bus stop is regularly smashed up and on Bonfire Night the local post box was torched - one wonders how the senders of cheques and birthday greetings feel, having their mail burnt up? Police have had a clamp down, but it only moves the problem elsewhere.
I have no objection to teenagers having a social life - I have two teenagers myself - but I do think they should be brought up to behave well and respect other people's property.
Originally posted by steve.w
[br At least if young people are together on the streets they are socialising, they are learning communication and social skills, they are learning about friendship and feeling part of a group.
Steve, I wouldn't feel angry about young people congregating on the street if that was all they were doing. Unfortunately once they're under the influence of more drink than they're capable of handling, their behaviour moves on from socialising to the anti-social. Last year our neighbourhood was selected as the meeting point for a loud-mouthed group of teens and we were subject to alcopop bottles thrown into our gardens, along with fag packets, food wrappers, sanitary protection and condoms (lovely!), branches being torn off trees and the cats who live over the road had stones thrown at them. When I remonstrated with the kids I got the porch egged for my trouble. Elderly neighbours were too frightened to go out in the evening.
That group has grown up or moved on of late, but in the next road the bus stop is regularly smashed up and on Bonfire Night the local post box was torched - one wonders how the senders of cheques and birthday greetings feel, having their mail burnt up? Police have had a clamp down, but it only moves the problem elsewhere.
I have no objection to teenagers having a social life - I have two teenagers myself - but I do think they should be brought up to behave well and respect other people's property.