So it is perplexing and bizarre that these things should be bracketed within the perfectly normal hanging around that is part of many young people's growing up. Yet this is what the Home Secretary's antisocial behaviour bill does.
Police officers and community support officers will be able to fine young people, including 16 and 17-year-olds who don't disperse when told to do so. A group, which can be just two young people, can be told to move and not come back for 24 hours. They do not need to have committed any recognisable offence, such as those outlined in the rest of the bill.
It is enough if "a constable in uniform has reasonable grounds for believing that the presence or behaviour of a group of two or more persons in any public place in the relevant locality has resulted, or is likely to result, in any members of the public being intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed".
Some people have the capacity to be intimidated, harassed, alarmed or distressed by the mere existence of a couple of 15-year-olds. This may not be criminalising being young.
But it is as near to it as "damn" is to swearing.
What is the social status of youth workers? Where do they stand in the community? Always a tricky question.
One touchstone answer comes from the passport test. Are youth workers among the select band of pillars of the community trustworthy enough to countersign someone's passport application?
The official list contains such esteemed paragons of probity as accountants, building society officials, barristers, chiropodists, dentists, funeral directors, insurance agents, nurses, opticians, Salvation Army workers, teachers and qualified travel agents. But youth workers are not among those singled out as particularly worthy of mention.
The rules add that persons of similar standing to the above are acceptable as countersignatories. That must include youth workers, mustn't it? Perhaps it is worth a go. And given that some professionals - dentists seem prone to the habit - charge up to 40 a time for countersigning applications, it might be a useful income boost.
