Antisocial Behaviour Among Juveniles

Clinker1

I wanted to get your average working Garda's opinion on what should be done about antisocial behaviour among teenagers. I know what the politicains think i.e asbos, forcing parents to take responsibility for their childs actions etc but what do the gardai who are walking the streets and dealing with it on a daily basis reckon.
Where I live myself and my neighbours are plagued by louts aged 13-15. Street drinking, minor graffiti and general noise are the typical problems we are faced with. The parents dont care and the gardai seem powerless due to legality and what they can and cant do so I would really like to know what they feel should be done and what they would like to do.
Teenagers (not all obviously) have a clear disrespect for the guards. When I was a kid the local guard would give you a clip around the ear for messing and then take you home to your da for a leatherin.

deadwood

Clinker1 wrote: »

Teenagers (not all obviously) have a clear disrespect for the guards. When I was a kid the local guard would give you a clip around the ear for messing and then take you home to your da for a leatherin.

The clip 'round the earhole is long gone.

I think parents must be made accountable or face penalties such as loss of allowances. When mammy and daddy are hit in the pocket, I suspect they may discover quite quickly how to discipline their children.

It's probably important to remember that these "children" will always be seen as exactly that in the eyes of the law and civil liberty groups.

Clinker1

Its an interesting point you make Deadwood. I have no doubt that the PC do gooders will always jump on the band wagon when it comes to disciplining these "children". They talk about civil liberties and human rights, well what about the civil liberties and rights of the people they are persecuting. I dont condone physical violence or child mistreatment but I do believe there is a place in society for a clip round the ear or a belt to the backside every now and again. Its a pity its a thing of the past and relatively unheard of these days.

Thoie

deadwood wrote: »

I think parents must be made accountable or face penalties such as loss of allowances. When mammy and daddy are hit in the pocket, I suspect they may discover quite quickly how to discipline their children.

While I like that idea, would it end up with poverty agencies whining about how family x are falling under the minimum income level because little Johnnie's antics are costing them €100 a week in fines?

How would it be enforced? I call gardai on a little thug, they pick him up, bring him home... and it goes to court? there's an automatic fine without court? the JLO can impose fines?

Esel

Clinker1 wrote: »

I don't condone physical violence or child mistreatment but I do believe there is a place in society for a clip round the ear or a belt to the backside every now and again.

You do see the contradiction here?

mcguiver

Unfortunately the vast majority of the parents are the problem.
How do you financially penalise people who never work, and get everything courtesy of the taxpayer!!

Most of the children I deal with are fine once you take them away from the pack, and talk 1 to 1.

If I had my way, as sooon as the problem is identified, child would be taken away from the family/environment. These children have no role models, or sense of responsibility.

I speak to teenagers everyday who's goal in life is to be on the labour, get on the housing list... why work for a living!!

A child who is raised by parent(s) who dont give a sh## is fighting a tough battle to turn out good. I see toddlers crawling around filthy homes, needles lying around, eating takeaway...but always enough money for the huge flatscreen tv.

So the cycle goes on, anti social behaviour.... teenage parents... next generation start again....crazy system.