Technically we had identical riots in Redfern and in Macquarie Fields- the only difference is they're both a lot smaller, and have fewer disaffected youths in them.

I agree with Col and Yabby on this as it is not the gap between rich and poor. Both Belly and I come from a poor background and i doubt he went rioting and I certainly did not. My parents had ethics and morality which meant we were taught self dicipline and responsibility and knowing what Belly has said of his youth I expect he was the same.

Col may well be abrupt, but I am surprised if Belly does not agree with him on this question. Being poor is no excuse to riot.

I think it is lack of modern parential teaching of kids and the goody, feely of schooling that brings on the situation that youth can act and do whatever they like, with minimal consequences.

I would never tell my dad that I got the cane at school because I may get another whack, which I likely deserved. If a youth got a girl prgnant it was not left to the State to provide for her and the baby, he shouldered the responsibility of marriage and fatherhood. That was expected. Kids were taught to say please and thankyou and to respect our elders and the police. Elders were always refered to and Mr and Mrs, first names were forbidden. Respect for others has to be instilled in kids and that is what is lacking today.

Maybe we need to bring back National Service for both boys and girls to teach some pride and respect. Not necessary in a military sense either.

[Deleted for abuse.]

Dear Graham,

I've been re-reading the posts on this thread.
And I've had to re-think the entire issue.
We can't really compare the UK to Australia.
Pericles could be right - our children are the
best educated and most privileged in human
history and they probably would go surfing,
because they can.

However as another poster pointed out - we as parents
have to also take the responsibility to ensure that
the upbringing we give our children has a sturdy
sensibility, a world view, that's different from the
"Me" mentality of modern culture. In short that we
also focus on the content of our children's hearts
and minds (or what is often described as character),
so that we end up with decent human beings.

Then hopefully UK style riots wouldn't happen here.

its worth noting
just egsactly how wrong
media reporting can be..so for future refereance

http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2011/08/10/guardian-aljazeera-set-straight-corporate-media-lies-london-riots-53711/

http://www.smh.com.au/world/stereotype-of-the-underclass-does-not-apply-20110811-1iowa.html

Sounds like its not just poor disadvantged kids running riot.