A nation 'fearful of young people'

12 April 2012

Britain is a nation fearful of young people, a children's charity has claimed.

Youngsters have been "demonised" by the media and politicians creating myths and increasing fear amongst adults, Barnardo's said.

But wearing hoodies and meeting friends on streets is all part of growing up according to Pam Hibbert, principle policy officer for the charity.

She said: "We have become fearful of all children. We know for example young crime in itself has remained fairly static in the last ten years - it is a minority that cause problems and retaliate.

"The demonisation of children and young people in some sections of the media and when politicians refer to youngsters as yobs - that breeds the actual fear."

Ms Hibbert said the reason adults' fear had grown was a lack of activities involving young people and adults. She said activities including growing vegetables in allotments - where adults could give advice to youngsters - and adults spending time helping at youth centres busted the myths and reduced fear.

"Respect is not a one way process. Bad behaviour by adults is almost celebrated in today's society but when youngsters misbehave people say they do not have any respect. Respect is about all of us getting together," she added.

The claim followed research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), which is due to be published next month, which showed that British adults are less likely than those in other European countries to intervene to stop teenagers committing anti-social behaviour.

The 200-page report says 65% of Germans, 52% of Spanish and 50% of Italians would be willing to intervene if they saw a group of 14-year-old boys vandalising a bus shelter, compared to just 34% of Britons.

The British adults questioned said the reasons they would not intervene included physical attacks, fear of reprisals and verbal abuse.

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