Crime – an
investigative review of hand outs and lack of discipline
One
has to ask why the increase in crime across the country and why the offenses
that are taking place are so prolific.
Is
it because some fifteen years ago, young couples were offered money to have
children instead of having them for the pure satisfaction of loving and
nurturing their own offspring, with little or no financial help?
Is
it because of the lack of discipline? Not being allowed to smack your child
and, wrapping them in cotton wool for fear of their feelings being hurt?
Is
it because of the breakdown of the family unit with children feeling the guilt
of a loveless marriage and separation from their parents as they are handed
from parent to parent week-on and week-off?
Domestic
violence leading to the child not understanding any other way of life and
believing that it is ok to hit and be hit, as they know no better, may be a
connection that leads to their violent future.
With
many children now in child care, as mum and dad have to work to make ends meet,
children often miss out on that one on one time with their parents – and the
luxury of simple things – such as the smell of biscuits coming out of the oven
and a chat with mum after school over issues such as bullying and poor school
grades, may lead to many children believing that their parents just don’t care.
Is
it because children are having children with no role models or guidance? No
training to be mothers and fathers from school education, and no family
support.
Worse
still, the case of poor parenting being the only mentoring for some young
mothers, which relies upon the rule that ‘the apple doesn’t fall far from the
tree’ only leading to a bitter unbroken cycle in the future?
Lack
of self-esteem and respect from growing up in a family that doesn’t care
whether they exist or not contributes to a forever cycle which only escalates
as their confidence in crime increases.
Is
it because initially getting pregnant is glorified by movies and television
programmes, and suddenly a young teenager is left holding the baby with no
support network and realizing being a mum isn’t all sugar and roses.
Maybe
getting pregnant for some is a way out of an education system they do not
enjoy, or a way to earn money to get away from an abusive family environment,
and, without a support network offspring from this lost environment may be why
these children are committing crimes.
Unfortunately,
revenge pregnancies are not uncommon, but no thought is given to the child who
in turn grows up unloved and feeling unwanted.
A
‘me’ society where everything is ‘mine’ no matter what, has certainly sprung up
with past generations of parents having the disposable income to spoil on their
children. Buying is easier than giving the most precious gift of all which is
free yet unavailable for many …the parent’s gifts of time.
We
see our children fixated to computer screens in their bedrooms, shooting at
cartoon people and objects, or animated games where de sensitivity with no
parental supervision does not teach the rights and wrongs of the actions on the
children’s screens, with some believing that what they play on the computer can
be replicated in real life.
Movies
can be very educational but also dangerous in glorifying crime, and giving
young, vulnerable and naive children the opportunity to see the use of drugs
and acts of sex that they should never be exposed to, especially whilst
watching these programmes unsupervised. Sure we have censorship and parental
lock systems but these only work when caring families use these controls.
Advertising
of fast cars appears to be the norm, encouraging young to do the same behind
the wheel, with such promotions of acceleration from 0 to 160 in seven seconds.
It makes you question why when most of our roads in the country have a maximum
speed limit of 100kms per hour.
Many
criminal youngsters, through peer pressure, often only make contact with
friends with similar criminal records and once those friends are locked up
inside the need to commit a crime may manifest just to be with the only company
they know.
Sadly
in some cases committing a crime leads to being institutionalized with an
assurance of a warm bed, three hot meals a day, television and a nice hot
shower, something not available to them on the ‘outside’.
Brazen
attacks often occur simply because they can, or are due to peer pressure to
prove they are as tough as their mates and desperately want to be accepted by fellow
criminals.
Drugs
such as ice bring more violent attacks. The choice to indulge in this illegal
activity because of lack of employment, boredom, insecurity and peer pressure,
often appears, in their eyes, to help many to escape from the sad reality that
life has led them to. Stealing and ‘dealing’ has it’s own supposed rewards for
some in the form of immediate assets and opportunities to make money to fuel
their next fix.
Addressing
the issue of crime has not come without its problems but obviously, what has
been tried is not working. Maybe addressing the issues one by one, taking each
criminal case on an individual basis and taking the time to find out why these
criminals, many of them as young as ten years old are committing such acts may
be a help in finding the solution.
No
one solution will fit the cap of every criminal but maybe it’s a start to
breaking the cycle of terror that many have experienced during the violation of
their homes, and, theft and damage of their possessions.
Last
but absolutely not least is the victims.
No
matter how irresponsible we as ordinary people are for leaving items around,
not locking our houses, walking home in the dark, wearing a short dress or
leaving keys in cars, is absolutely no excuse for anyone to help themselves in
any way shape or form to anything or anyone.
Victims
work hard for every single asset they gain and the anger and frustration in
many can be felt loud and clear. The inconvenience of no vehicle, or repairs to
it whilst chasing up insurance companies, as well as the increase in insurance
premiums, having to chase up the banks to cancel credit cards and wait for new
ones, repairing or replacing damaged property and worst of all having to heal
both mentally and physically certainly takes its toll. A toll, our society
should not have to take, ever.
Maybe
somewhere there is a solution, but doing what is being done now is not working
we need to find a new way, but first, let’s ask why. Maybe no one knows what
the solution is but taking time to find out the reason is a good start.
Author: Margaret Bell,
Candidate for the One Nation Party in the State seat of Hinchinbrook
Margaret Bell
One Nation Candidate
Hinchinbrook
Further
reading:
Free Subscription Offer
 |
| You’re fired! The best summer. Bugger – Go Digital. Join TREN. It’s Free. Explore more.. Click on image above to Join TREN |
How to stay
up-to-date
Do you have an opinion about the home ownership?
The TREN community wants to hear your story.
Become a
subscriber to TREN eMagazine and be the first to receive local
breaking stories, analysis and opinions on the Townsville real estate
market.
No comments:
Post a Comment