The National Youth Agency: Comment - Shifting behaviour

This view is predominantly a male view. Women may carry the weapons and view the action and, admittedly, engage at times in violent behaviour themselves. It is still, however, generally a male response. This is the fundamental problem we need to tackle as part of our early intervention and prevention strategy for violent crime. We need to build in our children, particularly boys, and their families, alternative means of managing anger and disputes - the skills of reconciliation. We need to create an environment where this is seen to be a good thing. We need to build and sustain the capacity of those organisations who are already working effectively to widen and deepen their offer. There needs to be a rich supply of opportunities for young people which reduce their propensity to engage in troublesome behaviour and which provide them with alternative options - ones which are okay on their terms rather than on ours. The Aiming High agenda is good on this. Through this offer, young people can have fun, learn new skills and work out alternative futures for themselves and others. But let's make sure the opportunities are sustained, are available for all young people and are of good quality.