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July 2008 - Posts

• The new folk devils

  Where the national media lead, the rest of us tend to follow. The publication of the government’s Youth Crime Action Plan has seen a fresh resurgence in stories about broken Britain, complete with horror-packed editorials bemoaning the lawless nature of today’s youth. Campaigns, demands to “crack down on knife thugs” and detailed commentaries on the state of today’s society, with its Asbo-wielding hoodies and threat of a stabbing on every street corner, whip up further furore on a daily basis. Sociologists call this a ‘moral panic’. Young people have become folk devils - absurd caricatures of terrifying threats to society, to the point where every isolated incident becomes a matter of national importance. Into this melee comes a report from the Home Office looking at crime and antisocial behaviour among young people which finds, surprise, surprise – the majority of young people are good law-abiding citizens. Furthermore the vast majority of youth crime is pretty low-level. It’s easy to forget this – so easy, when the flow of commentary and debate, spurred on by the national media, is only ever in one direction. Lets try not to forget it though, or we’re doing the vast majority of young people a great disservice. Posted Jul 16 2008, 01:59 PM by Cathy Wallace with no comments

• When I grow up, I want to be....

  Hands up who wants the children and young people they work with to grow up to be like Amy Winehouse. The “troubled singer” may have a voice to die for, fame and fortune but is she a good role model for young girls? A while ago a poll by Girlguiding UK found tabloid favourite Wino, along with fellow party animal Kate Moss and professional thin person Posh Spice, to be the celebrities with the most influence over young women. Now the Children’s Society has said shows like X Factor and Big Brother are eroding children and young people’s community values, and that materialism and celebrity culture are making children less resilient than they used to be. The charity’s survey of children’s professionals, carried out as part of the Good Childhood Inquiry, has raised a few questions about our celeb-soaked society and the impact it’s having on young people. But love them or loathe them, celebs like Wino and her ilk seem to be here to stay. Should we be worried? If idolising dubious celebrities helps young people realise if they are good at something, following their dreams can be a valid career choice, then there’s a place for Kate and co. If however the effect really is to erode the strength and inherent self-belief of young people, especially girls, in favour of seeking to be thinner, cooler and richer, then we’ve got a problem. Who was your role model when you were young? Mine was International Velvet, which doesn’t explain why I’m now online editor of CYP Now, but possibly does show that young girls choosing peculiar role models doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to turn out just like them. Posted Jul 04 2008, 02:21 PM by Cathy Wallace with no comments