Chlamydia, alcoholism, bankruptcy

Because of the nature of our work, our PR manager is regularly approached by newspapers and television programmes wanting to gain access to young people.  Over the last year she has had one request for a "an inspiring young person."  Of the daily requests she has received over the last year, all but that one have been for horror stories.  "Do you know Britain's youngest pregnant teen?", "We are seeking a fourteen year old with chlamydia who is willing to talk about her experiences and name the boyfriend.." etc etc.   Sexually transmitted diseases, alcoholism, teenage bankruptcy, ASBOs;  all are grist to the mill of the British media. I am unsure as to whether these features and programmes feed an idea of "ooh haven't we created a horrible world for young people" or "ooh aren't young people awful".  Even slightly more smug shows like "How the other Half Lives", apparently designed to 'highlight child poverty' still have an element of rattling a stick through the asylum bars about them.