There is an unjustified and disturbing intolerance of children in the UK according to a shocking poll commissioned by Barnardo's and that came out yesterday.
The poll shows that society casually condemns all children, with more than half the population (54%) thinking that British children are beginning to behave like animals.
The public’s intolerance is also reflected in the British Crime Survey, which indicates that the public felt young people committed up to half of all crime when in actual fact young people are responsible for only 12% of crime.
Barnardo’s chief executive Martin Narey said: "It is appalling that words like ‘animal’, ‘feral’ and ‘vermin’ are used daily in reference to children. Despite the fact that most children are not troublesome there is still a perception that today’s young people are a more unruly, criminal lot than ever before."
If we are not to run the risk of getting more of what we focus on, there is a need to shine a light on the many constructive and positive ways in which young people contribute to our society.
In addition we need to find ways to enable young people to contribute more.
In my work in many developing countries, young people are valued for their tireless contribution to the family and the community.
My work has brought me together with youngsters whose knowledge and action around health have saved lives for example: knowing when water is safe to drink, knowing how to make water safer, checking that siblings observe basic hygiene rules, getting their siblings and friends to the clinics for immunisation, befriending children who are isolated by the stigma of relatives who have AIDS….the list could go on and on.
While the issues affecting young people’s health and well being in this country may be a little different what is not different is their ability and enthusiasm to change and improve things that affect them and those they care about…its time to give them a chance.
