CYP Now - NCB Now: Comment - Young people have a right to be respected too

Since Tony Blair's post-election speech, the respect agenda has gathered momentum. The Government recently announced a new respect task force, and an action plan is mooted for this autumn. Meanwhile, the citizens' jury set up by BBC Radio 4's Today programme is currently looking at respect - an initiative that NCB has been supporting through our involvement in the jury's oversight panel.

Respect is a far-reaching issue, which we must be wary ofover-simplifying.

NCB recognises the need to improve social cohesion: for example, manychildren and young people tell us they feel unsafe in theirneighbourhoods. There is a real risk, however, that the behaviour ofyoung people may become the scapegoat for a wider public malaise.

The fact is that young people have a right to feel respected too, yetthey often find that the adults in their community treat them withsuspicion. The classic example is "teenagers hanging around", cited as aproblem by one in three according to the latest British CrimeSurvey.

We need a greater imaginative awareness of what it is like to be ateenager in this environment. Many young people hang about togetherbecause they, or their parents, think they will be safer in groups.Others choose to look aggressive, through their clothes or theirbehaviour, as a means of self-defence.

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