Stop the children
I was listening to the radio this morning (BBC Story) and they had a representative from a charity (Alcohol Concern I think) who was saying the government should be prosecuting the parents of under 15s who are given alcohol. Now while I’m sure that all the police officers that are sitting around doing nothing would love to pop round to peoples houses and check that no 14 year old is having half a glass of wine with the sunday roast how is this possibly enforcable? And if not, whats the point of having a the law in the first place?
I’m not sure that such a measure would combat the things that people are worried about i.e. antisocial behaviour and assualt. I had alcohol when I was this age at home and whilst I’ve had the odd time at uni where I’ve gone way to far it’s never been a problem. Is this just another example of the so called ‘Nanny State’ trying to hold our hands or am I an exception to the rule?
Over the last few years I haven’t really paid much attention to politics but when I look back there has been a shift in responsibility from the individual to whatever form of enforcement is appropriate, ie do what you like and we’ll tell you when its wrong. For example professionals nowdays are suffering because of the increased monitoring that they have to endure - let them get on with the job that they are good at (I’m sure Charlotte would have something to say about that!). Doctors are starting to be told what medicines to provide rather than letting them make a proffessional judgement, teachers must constantly evaluate their students to ensure that they are performing and I bet the police have endured the same kind of treatment - if the stories about increased red tape in the system are to be believed.
The burden of responsibility should lie with the individual and this I think, in the past, was enforced initially by peer pressure. You didn’t drop that sweet wrapper on the pavement because the old guy on the other side of the street was watching. Now however the lack of respect that has been brought about by this shift in responsibility ensures that these simple pressures no longer affect us - is it really that simple or are there other things at work?
Good Hunting