Groups of young people congregating on street corners are viewed with suspicion, but according to a survey conducted by NCB, young people simply don't feel safe when they are on their own during the evening. This issue has been made worse by the violence that erupted around the country following the death of Mark Duggan in Tottenham. I believe young people followed the example of adults looting and rioting within London, by conducting antisocial behavioural acts themselves. The media highlighted the threat that groups of teenagers can pose but didn't make it clear that many young people hang out together in groups to feel safe within their own community. So, if the media can identify this, then why are the police and community leaders not prepared or well-equipped to intervene and prevent these events from getting worse?
There is also the usual stereotyping issue that seems to cause a lot of conflict across the nation. For some reason, adults seem to think that when young people are simply talking quietly or too loudly in a group, on the street, that they must be involved in some sort of suspicious or indeed illegal activity. Well, what if they are just simply there because they have nothing to do?
Despite all of the factors that may cause the way that young people act, they are being indicted and persistently a victim of scapegoating. Will young people ever be acknowledged for the good things they do?
Aneela, 14, is a member of Young NCB
- Read Aneela's blog at http://kidwarrior.wordpress.com
