Newsnight — Yob Culture

Appeared on Newsnight talking about yob culture with Ken Jones, a top policeman, Rob Williams from the Children’s Commission, and a leading magistrate. http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/2008/02/friday_15_february_2008.html
I argued that adults were afraid of children, their children and other people’s, because the adult world has lost confidence in itself, and children know this and ultimately suffer as a result, believing that they can do what they want with impunity. Too many children are brought up with no boundaries imposed upon: no bedtimes, no meal times, no obligations, no responsibilities. They’re showered with material goods, but don’t have disciplined lives. Ken Jones complained about the drinks industry targeting adolescents and idiotic worship of celebrity culture in the media — both major topics in Yob Nation. Rob Williams looked at the children’s angle, while the magistrate argued that all children are individuals. Nevertheless, there was a large amount of concensus.’