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Drunk, violent, promiscuous... a U.S. view of British youth as seen on the cover of Time Magazine
Last updated at 23:37pm on 29.03.08British youth are violent, drunken and out of control, a leading American magazine concludes today.
The front cover of renowned publication Time Magazine depicts a young man in a "hoodie" with mugshots of others across a Union Jack.
Its headline reads: "Unhappy, Unloved and Out of Control - An epidemic of violence, crime and drunkenness has made Britain scared of its young."
It also pours scorn upon the parenting abilities of the British, claiming they do not spend enough time with their children and cannot cope.
The magazine criticises our class-riven society, education system and binge-drinking culture.
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The front cover of Time magazine shows a glowering hoody superimposed on a Union Jack for its feature on Britain's youth
The weekly magazine, which goes on sale across the world today, cites a survey by the children's charity TS Rebel which found last year that more than a fifth of Britons avoided going out at night rather than risk encountering groups of intimidating youths.
A 3,200 word article states: "It's easy to see why.
"The boys and girls who casually pick fights, have sex and keep the emergency services fully occupied are often fuelled by cheap booze."
It says that British youngsters drink far more than their European counterparts, are more frequently involved in violence and are more likely to try drugs, adding that English girls are the most sexually active in Europe.
"Small wonder then, that a 2007 Unicef study of child well-being in 21 industrialised countries placed Britain firmly at the bottom of the table," the article states.
The magazine, which has a circulation of four million, has put the story on its international front cover. It will also feature the article in its US editions, providing further embarrassment to the Government.
Time also says that Labour's ambitious target of halving child poverty by 2010, set by Tony Blair, is unlikely to be achieved.
It states: "The British have a long propensity to recoil in horror from their children - whether they be Teddy boys in the 1950s, mods and rockers in the Sixties, skinheads in the Seventies or just a bunch of boisterous teens making a lot of noise but little real mischief.
"But it is also true that for what Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of the Children's Society, call a 'significant minority' of British children, unhappiness - and the criminality, excessive drinking and drug-taking and promiscuity that is its expression - really have created a crisis.
"All over the world, teenagers give their parents headaches.
"Why are the migraines induced by British kids felt across a whole society?
"Part of the reason may be that parents aren't always around to help socialise their children - or even just to show them affection.
"Compared to other cultures, British kids are less integrated into the adult world and spend more time with their peers.
"Add to the mix a class structure and an education system that rewards the advantaged, and some children are bound to be left in the cold."
The article expresses particular concern at Britain's binge-drinking culture.
"Alcohol Concern noted that one in three British men and one in five women drink double the amount considered safe at least once a week," it says, citing pictures of Princes William and Harry leaving nightclubs.
Reader views (20)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Our children's future was taken from them by governments cavalierly running deficits for decades and also by government central banks keeping interest rates far too low for decades. Who can afford a home now, not just in the UK but in Canada and America?
I think at age 60, I understand the plight of the youth. They have every reason to be angry.
- Starving Steve, Sooke, BC Canada
Yes UK is a violent country more so than ever before, or at least that is the perception. UK towns and cities are run by the 18-30s especially at the weekends. I just avoid my local town centre at weekends as there is always some drunken lout - with his friends of course... that want to abuse you at least, if not rob you.
I have been living in the Philippines for 6 months, Manila is supposed to be a dangerous place but I would much rather walk around here at night than London, I definitely feel safer here, there is respect for older people/authority here that you never experience now in the UK.
I would like to see some of these louts deal with the police in Asia, they would never act towards them like they do in the UK, in the UK I have seen the police abused, sworn at and physically assaulted before they act because their hands are tied with so much political correctness. Here in Asia you say "sorry sir" or you will physically regret your abusive comments... some say that is wrong... maybe, but it works here and it works for me as I as most people here know how to behave.
Rant over !!
- Gerry, L, London/Manila
Spot on. It's a hell hole and there's no consideration or help or attention given to this age group, and thus they have gone wild as a result of a decade of neglect. There's no housing, no live quality and little else to do but get drunk and pregnant.
- Ian, Manchester, UK
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