Before discussing the solutions he proposed, I would just like to dwell briefly on what he identifies as the causes of that behaviour.

There is no doubt that there is a correlation between delinquent or anti-social behaviour and disrupted or dysfunctional family upbringing.

If your family can't, or won't, cherish, nurture and care for you, and help to promote a set of values or ethical framework for you to live your life by, then at the very least you are going to have a very uncertain start to your life.

If your school is unable to help you fulfil potential, both in terms of your personal development as well as your academic or vocational achievement, then your progress through life is likely to be further undermined.

In fact, concerns over this issue have triggered a debate in the pages of the Herald about what kind of educational provision at secondary school level would be in the best interests of the young people attending the school, and the community from which they come.

And then there is the question of what to do after school, what route or career path to take, and what sort of opportunities there are in the world of employment; and are these occupations going to be sufficiently well paid in order for the individual to push out on their own, to get a place of their own, to support themselves in order to live full and independent lives.

Most young people do enjoy the help and support of family and friends, and do derive much benefit from their school days, (although many might only acknowledge this retrospectively), and proceed to take on the challenges presented to them, in the process forging a future for themselves.

And there are many sterling examples of people who have struggled to overcome disadvantage and disappointment to go on to succeed in life, and we should take inspiration from their achievements.

But for some, and it is only a minority, there is a lurch into a cycle of anti-social behaviour and delinquency, which might involve gang membership and all that entails.

It is this social context that the politicians and the media minimise or ignore, and then go on to demonise all young people, studiously avoiding thorny questions such as record levels of child poverty, the constant meddling with educational policy, the refusal to bring the minimum wage for youth up to that of adult workers, and so on.

Mr Myers is right to focus on positive approaches to youth development and the problems of juvenile delinquency, in contrast to the "hang 'em and flog 'em" brigade, but these are social problems and require a firm but sympathetic approach from those responsible for dealing with them, something that is sadly lacking.

S.J. Guy
Southview Road
Southwick

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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