Vandals

[optrex]

Its the age that does it. I mean, how many disabled badge cars do you see taking up the "parent and toddler" spaces in adsa when its busy?

Have you ever seen public reation when the tables are turned the other way round?

[Shizara]

... or the ablebodied people that step out of cars with a spring in their step not caused by a sprungloaded wooden leg. Probably borrowed Gran's disabled badge to avoid carrying the half dozen 24 packs of Heineken across the carpark for the weekend birthday party - Gran is the birthday girl

[cathidaw]

[
teenagers believe the world is there for them to enjoy themselves.
I did too, at least-- Ithought life was to be enjoyed but not at other peoples expense.
to try to teach them to be more responsible we have to get them on our side.and quite early on.before leaving school--captive audiece.
The ones wandering the streets causing havoc don't need telling they are doing wrong, if you could catch up with them. even with their teeny pea brains they already know it
Istill believe they need somewhere to go-they are not grown up yet- so need enticing. Cyber cafes--somewhere to sit and chat, game around (with a wary eye looking on) If they are doing something they like -even sitting they are not out there vandalising.
Not every teenager wants a sport orientated club or youth centre . Teenagers are lazy and easily led. If they see somewhere to go which their mates are enjoying they would more likely to suss it out. Lecturing will not help they would leave.
We have to get into the brains of a teenager- yuk----try ro remember how we felt-to do any good.
It would certainly save money in the long run.

Having said all this- the police try hard but their hands are tied.
Listen to this:

I had my new'ish' car stolen and burnt out, the police found the culprit and eventually he was sentenced to 2 months in prison. The police were disgusted with this small sentence.The reason being that as he had confessed to 27 other car thefts the judge took his 'honesty' into consideration

[Shizara]

Originally Posted by cathidaw

We have to get into the brains of a teenager- yuk----

Nooooooo.. have been there once already I can still here my father's voice echoing in my ears:

If I catch you hanging around the streets there will be hell to pay.
You will be back here, at home by 10pm sharp - midnight on Saturday night. If not, you will not be going out again.
You are not leaving the house looking like that. You look like a pair of trollops. - (My sister and I with lipstick and mascara).

... I think you get the picture.

My father was a man true to his word and he meant every one of them when he was in discipline or instruction mode. He had a great sense of humour though and outside of those times could be fun.

Having said that, I do understand what you are saying Cathidaw but am still not a believer in handing it all to them on a plate. If you hand out on plate to a child until he/she becomes an adult will the expectations change? By all means, if they have some facilities and can be encouraged to take an interest, yes, they are off the streets, but they still need to be learning about being constructive not destructive.