Equality and Human Rights Commission

This enquiry explores adult misconceptions compared to the realities of children’s and young people’s behaviour. It asks:

• Are children really much more dangerous and out of control than they used to be?
• If so, are adults responsible and should their misbehaviour be treated differently from adults’?

Some background

Many studies show that poverty, made worse by inequality, is the main factor in children not realising their potential and falling into antisocial behaviour.

95 per cent of 1,000 young people surveyed by the Commission about their attitudes to their future careers felt that they are doing well in their current situation and upbeat about their lives.

A 2005 study about young people’s views on anti-social behaviour reports that 4 out of 5 media stories about young people were negative, for example about bullying, drinking, drugs, under-age sex and serious crimes. Young people were asked about their views and experiences, showing that the media exaggerated their behaviour: “Not all young people are the same; the media has a major influence upon older people’s views of how younger people are. There are a lot of younger people who give a lot to the community they live in but because of all the trouble in the media, they mostly don’t get given the time of day.” http://youthnet.org/content/1/c6/02/80/36/Respect%20report%20final.pdf

A scenario

You could organise this scenario as a role play: A number of you are residents and shop owners who have complained about anti-social behaviour in a shopping centre by what you call a ‘gang of delinquents’. Some of you are parents of the young people. You believe that the behaviour is no worse than dropping litter, high-spirited noise and skateboarding. You think your children have a right to be in this public place because there aren’t many other places for them to go. Your neighbours have started complaining directly to you and the atmosphere is becoming tense. The issue is raised at a community meeting. One of you could act as a mediator (for example, taking the role of a local councillor). What do the complainers and the parents both feel about it? What can be done about the problem?

Artist inspiration

Tracey Emin

Note: Emin may only be an appropriate choice if you want to explore sexuality as part of teenage behaviour with your group. She became a victim of sexual violence and this affected her deeply. Many of her works explore how the trauma of sexual abuse affected her well-being and ability to form relationships. She often combines expressive words with real beds and patchwork quilts. She has also made films and written an autobiographical book about her youth. For more information visit her website: http://www.tracey-emin.co.uk/tracey-emin-home.html

Keith Haring

At a time when youth street culture was emerging in American cities (in the 1970s and 80s), street dance and graffiti were associated with criminality, Keith Haring positively celebrated this culture in his work. He made a point of inviting young people to exhibit their work with him and, although he died in 1990 his Foundation still funds work to positively represent young people’s culture: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Haring

Also see the Haring Kids site: http://www.haringkids.com/index.html

Young artist/198 Gallery

198 Gallery ran a project with young people on gun violence in Brixton, exploring the stereotypes of young people: This poster asks: ‘Do you know me? So don’t judge me’ http://www.198.org.uk/images/po-Do-you-know-me.jpg