I keep seeing more and more footage of violence/ rioting/ looting and it being blamed on the 'bored youth of today' I can't help but get angry and think about what if do if either of my children were ever to be involved in something like this!
It got me thinking about how I was brought up, I think I'm a pretty well rounded person, turned out alright lol now when I was growing up I was scared of punishment and discipline, it rarely happened but I did get a smack or even a kick, and when I was grounded I was grounded hard I was left in my room with nothing to do, was given water and sandwich as food and nothing else! Altho at the time I hated every second, I actually think that these things made me afraid of authority which in my eyes is a good thing, I never stepped out of line have always respected the law!

So is it a bad thing to feel that the way I was brough up was good? And that if I do a job like my parents I'd be pretty pleased? I've not had to smack my children to show my authority but I've been close with tommy before now, I'm sure people won't agree but if I think it's needed I will do what necessary.

These 'bored kids' are a disgrace and I can't help but feel it's because of poor parenting!! And if anything like this did have my children involved I can honestly say they would not know what had hit em when I got hold of them, the behaviour of these animals is disgraceful and actually right now I'm ashamed to be British!

we have been brought up to respect people and would never ever be involved in anything like that...alhtough im ashamed to say it wouldnt surprise me if my sister got involved in something similar(she's 19)...but she would be dragged back with her hair if she had to be...she was bought up exactley the same way as me and my other sister, unfortunatley some of it is their own persoanlity and peer pressure!! although if she was still young enough she'd not be allowed out till it was over!!!!

I have to say that it really winds me up that people generally (and I'm not talking about on here) go on about the youth today. I realise that it is mainly the youth rioting but the way some people on the news were talking you'd think it was an entire lost generation. Most young people are fine - its just a small minority.

Anyway, rant over. I agree in a lot of cases its bad parenting. However, I do know from teaching that sometimes the worst kids have great parents. I know someone on the news was saying that a lot of them come from single parent families but I don't really see how that is an excuse. I know plenty of single parents and they do a great job bringing up their kids.

I have to say that there does seem to be an 'underclass' forming in Britain where people seem to think its their right to live on benefits and not to work and that they should have everything they want. You see it a lot round here. They whinge constantly about having no money but have posh cars, etc. Most have viscious dogs as well. I'm not suggesting that most people on benefits are like this - they're there to help people - but that there does seem to be an increasing number of people that think they are just owed things rather than having to earn them and I do think that attitude passes on to their kids.

I actually think its not just parenting but a lack of authority anywhere. As a teacher there is basically nothing I can do. I work in a grammar school in a well off area at the moment so face different issues but I trained in Coventry and the kids could basically riot and there was nothing we could do.

I hope that I can bring Jamie up to respect authority and to have a basic level of manners (rioting seems rude!) but I'm not sure there is really an answer to the problem

Tbh, sometimes all the dicipline in the world doesn't help.



My mum was always really strict, even all my friends were scared of her because she wouldn't stand any crap at all.



I turned out fine, had so much respect for the law and authority.



My brother - the complete opposite! Always getting into trouble, in and out of youth offending institutes. Weird thing is everyone, even the police say he is one of the politest lads they have ever met



Obviously there are some parents out there that are just bad role models for their kids and are bad parents, i just don't think it's always the case x

i honestly genuinely think that for some teenagers national service would be no bad thing - it would teach discipline, respect and give people a sense of pride and purpose - and gratitude for what they have!