OUR FRANKENSTEIN KIDS

24-10-2006

The British are apparently more scared of children than any other nation in Europe. That's whatthe IPPRthink tankreckons anyway, writing us off as a country of "paedophobes". We've gotgood reason reckons Derrick Campbell.

Has anyone noticed the young people of our day who have been offered so much protection by the law, that they have now become a law unto themselves.

Although no sensible person would argue againstthe campaigns to ensure that our children are protected from harm and abuse, they clearly haven't allowedfor any checks and balances to ensure that the order is maintained. Instead we seem to have created a situation where our young people have now seized the moment and arein control of our schools, community and streets.

I have heard many parents say that they cannot control their children, I have also seen many children in our schools running the show and controlling our classrooms, simply because they know that the laws that have been passed to protect them can be used to permit their disruptive behaviour. They know that teachers cannot physically touch them; they also know that there are limits to how far their own parents can discipline them.

As a result we have children who have no manners or no respect for others.

Have the laws designed to protect our children back fired on society, and instead of creating an environment where our children can flourish with good morals and manners, in fact created a situation where they have turned intolittle Frankenstein's monsters?

We need to redress the balance and ensure that our children don't rule our society. Adults must be allowed to mete out appropriate levels of discipline, and the law looked at again to stop our children terrorising society and feeling that they can do what they like.

Is Derrick right? Have we allowed kids to rule the roost? Leave your comments on our messageboard.