Compulsory community work nothing more than smokescreen.
April 12, 2009 The BBC reports on how Brown is now intending for every person to have undertaken 50 hours of community action by the time they are 19 years of age. This, Brown believes, will help alleviate anti-social behaviour issues in Britain and teach young Britons about giving back to the community; he feels it will help them realise their contribution to society and what is expected of them.
The issue is that it is already far too late for most, and indeed, this is nothing more than a smokescreen; Brown has failed local communities and the British youth, and now we’re left in a situation where so many young Britons resemble feral animals. Having these people aid in their local community would cause more problems to the local community and vulnerable people than it would benefit them.
What is needed is a proper action plan to deter anti-social behaviour (and ASBOs aren’t the answer). People respond to incentives, and a clear incentive to stop anti-social behaviour is correct punishment in the form of correctional facilities. Drastic? Possibly. The reality, however, is that we’ve past the point of no return and now people are scared to walk down a street or go to their local grocery store.
In addition, we have to look at ways to reverse the growing number of feral youths. Is it education? No doubt, this will play a part. Indeed, incentives are also necessary. However, one more vital piece of the puzzle is dealing with parents and ensuring they have proper control over their children and ensuring they play their role correctly in moulding their children in a correct manner for society.
If Brown wants to improve the future generations of Britain, then the above is what must be done, and not some useless national service or community-work scheme which will help no one.
Reader Comments (1)
This initiative is only relevent to English kids.
As far as education is concerned, Brown's legislatative feelers only extend across England. It is therefore wrong to write about British youth - and thus give the impression that this is going to happen across Britain. It ain't...
Brown always likes to big-up his areas of responsibility. So when he talks about Health, Transport, Planning, Local Government, etc, he never mentions England by name - but subs 'the country' instead.
Because, when the great English public actually realise that this Scots MP is bringing in legislation that never afflicts his own constituents - there should be hell to pay!