In the first place, the implication is that young people are more likely than adults to break the law, which is simply not the case. According to a Nacro briefing published earlier this year, in 2003 - the latest year for which figures are available - less than 11 per cent of all detected crime was committed by young people under 18.
What's more, although most people - including Tony Blair - acknowledge that only a minority of young people behave badly, it is nearly always the negative stories which hit the front pages. The result is that bad behaviour appears to be the norm, and this can breed a terrible fear and mistrust of the younger generation, especially among the elderly.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
