Na you're still not listening,

'I cannot understand how you people have managed to interpret my message as "beat the crap out of the child!"'

We interpret your message as there is a violence epidemic and it was better in the good ol' days.

I disagree and so do others.

individual,

Seriously man, the kids don't really watch TV. They're too busy talking to paedos on the internet and playing Grand Theft Auto.

'a medium designed to be a source of information.'
You sure? I reckon it's always been designed to be a source of entertainment.

'And, of course, the ever present over regulation of our daily lives'
Well ASBOs (anti social behaviour orders) like they have in the UK are not over regulation of our daily lives? Can I have some of what you're smoking?

Who would've thought it was the 'poor quality of entertainment'
on a medium mostly watched by older people that was the
reason for youth violence.

Can I just check – any of you dealing with a teen off the rails?

Anyone got one or had a few living in their home?

Have any of you done any good?

Because I’m going to ask you some stuff and see if you clever people can do some good. I’ll start with just the first three problems that come to mind.

How would you all deal with these in a 15 year old female orphan?

Lying
Wagging school
Having sex

Crackcup perhaps you could answer the questions I raised in my first post on this thread.

- Which current laws prohibit smacking?
- Do you have evidence that it's children who are not smacked who are doing the violence?
- Have you looked at the research which indicates an association between smacking and later violence (and in some circumstances riskier sexual behaviour and or sexual violence)?
- How do you seperate the impacts of a reduction in smacking from a trend by some parents not to discipline at all?

I'll also add one I missed in the first round but which others have pointed out
- Do you have evidence that rates (or severity) of youth violence has actually gotton worse rather than being more regularly reported?

What I find really telling in the arguments from some is that the only form of discipline they seem to want to talk about is hitting, when it comes to other strategies there seems to be a deafening silence.

How about some advocacy for specific funding for behaviour resources in schools rather than them needing to fund them by taking away from classroom teaching resources?

R0bert

Otokonoko,
I think you're on the right track.
My dad told stories of the Alphington (Melb) boys tearing palings off the fences to 'rumble' the Fairfield boys or the Collingwood boys (pre WW2)etc .

Keep in mind Melbourne had hoods and spivs in the 1890's CJ Denis's "the sentimental bloke". Who doesn't know about gangsters like "Squizy Taylor" et al in the 20's or the famous Sydney brothel/gangster madam (1930's- 1960's).
To me there are three differences between then and now.
- More people, closer together.
- greater pressure to consume and keep up with the Jones'.
- More pervasive media and its desensitising of the populace via its commercial need for sensation to gain ratings and thereby sell more advertising. This is evidenced by the change from information reporting to infotainment/Springer/reality TV (sic)and shows like current affair and 60 mins etc. Any similarity between the truth and these beat up shows are accidental.

TPP I have gone through that so will have a crack at it.
But have to be honest, I would do it differently than the last two times.
Last was with a 13 year old.
Sex? DOCs will not help, police can not, so lets be honest how old are her partners/partner?
make sure she is on the pill if the law can act against her partner make sure they do.
Waging school? not easy but ring every day, tell school she should be there never lie for her.
Lies? I just have not got a clue, never did have, every time I found myself in that position the girl Friends lie too, just have to wait and support while trying to build trust.
failed didn't I, well that makes three times.
oh PS crackup old mate you are not convincing me you know much about kids.

I’m a bit overwhelmed Belly.

Funny how DoCS don’t consider underage sex a big deal. I’m sure it is. The feeling around this situation is that I get handed something very damaged and when it continues to act damaged it must be my fault for not taking control immediately. And of course “control” must be passive at all times.

Crackup may have a suggestion.

The lies could jeopardize an entire household and it is easy for any government department to point finger rather than accept responsiblity. And Belly, my girl, she’s ready to become very unpassive and has left for the weekend for everyone’s sake.

I don’t like this drama, I like little kids and cuddles and evenings at home doing nothing at all. Having much washing to fold is dramatic enough for me these days.