Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Riotous Thoughts.....

Lots of talk about disenfranchised kids, no job prospects and increased tuition fees. All used as an excuse for appalling anti-social behaviour against what is really their own community.
Where has it all gone wrong?

My personal perception is that of a change in culture generally to one of 'mine by right' rather than the one I grew up in which was more 'work hard to achieve what you want'.

Our obsession with Celebrity, and apparent Instant Celebrity, has fuelled a desire to go from zero to hero overnight with what appears to be little effort, undermining that core value of hard work.

In reality, most of those 'instant' celebrities - music, theatre, business or sport - have a much different back story. Many of them have worked hard since they were little kids to achieve their current fame. Most have given up much of what would be considered a normal childhood in the pursuit of their goal. They may have had difficult times in their family life and upbringing but it's their strength and goal that has allowed them to overcome adversity and achieve greatness. We need those celebrities to get that message across loud and clear so there can be no misconceptions.

So what of our current crop of looters, arsonists and gangland thugs?

Yes, they have probably had difficult upbringings too. Sadly though, through the last handful of successive generations there has been a steady move to remove the need to work hard to achieve or even survive. It's too easy now to just sit back and let the state provide a mediocre existence . I have heard stories from people I know where it's actually better financially for them to be out of work than in. Where's the incentive in that?

If their family culture is now one of not working, it has to be a strong and committed kid that breaks away and fights through. The possibility that they are concerned over uni tuition fees is remote. That goal was removed from them at an early age.

Add to that our pussy-footing politically correct systems where responsibility seems now to be in everybody else's hands rather than our own and it's no wonder we are in the state we are.

How do I feel about our rioting thugs?

If they choose to go onto the streets with intent to cause chaos, ruin peoples lives, property, homes and businesses then expect to get hurt - or worse. When they are caught, expect to be punished - hard. I hope that any self respecting solicitor out there won't be trying to get them off either. If they do they are no better than the thugs themselves.

I'm sorry, but they have to be taught that, for most of us, if you want something in life you have to work for it, not have it handed to us on a plate. Even if they are out of work, there are still plenty of ways they can make a difference to their community whilst still receiving benefits. Maybe that could help them understand the potential value that they have to others and within themselves. That just might make them employable or give them the courage to start up a business themselves.

Here's hoping....