Do you think teenagers are treated unfairly?

[MKR&*42]

(This was going to be in a real life news article, until Habbox decided to "die" on me, so I'm placing it on here for now..).

I've wondered for quite a while now, if teenagers are seen as the "lower form" of society, so I decided to write an article about it, but then Habbox "died", so here's the article for now:

Are teenagers slowly becoming the 'Denomination' of british society?

If you thought being a teenager was the "easy part" in life, then you are very wrong. We're not talking about being shouted at by your parents, or being grounded for not being back home before 10pm. We're talking about society and the government.

The first sign that teenagers are becoming the "Denomination", is the scrapping of EMA's (Education Maintenace Allowance's). The EMA's paid for the cost of students who attend college, it would usually cover the cost of bus fares, possibly meals and resources that you purchase for your college courses. EMA's were usually £10-£30 given to students per. week, however the government have now removed these in an attempt to save money. Many students are obviously angered over the EMA removal and many consider it unfair because it's only a small amount of money, unlike the cost of giving millions of pounds to other countries in debt.

This has then had a knock-on effect on secondary school students. Thousands of students with GCSE's, simply aren't going into college because of the EMA support grant being removed and because university fees are rising. This has left thousands of students feeling helpless in regard to financial support when deciding on college and university, and will often deter students away from the decision of going to college and university also considering that most parents don't have enough money to fund future education, specifically university fees. It is not only EMA support which has been removed, Aim Higher and face-to-face careers guidance have been cut back as well.

Youth unemployment, is also disheartening teenagers across britain. Last weeks official figures revealed that 1 in 5 or nearly 1 million young people aged from 16-24 are out of work (Unemployed). Teenagers are often feeling disheartened, and have a lack of confidence to try and find employment, also many students who have good grades simply feel they won't be useful in the future and that good grades don't have much impact on the future anymore. The government has also decided to remove many businesses which help teenagers with job guidance, the famous "connexions" business is having to remove its services from many places as well as other career supporting businesses.

One of the final points that shows teenagers in a negative viewpoint, is the media. For example when the riots in england happened, Television, Radio, Newspapers etc. all promoted a negativity around teenagers by using facts such as: "Over 53% of people arrested in the riots were teenagers" or headlines such as "Are britains youth out of control?". This is, of course making the view on teenagers, less and less appealing for the older generation and it also gives teenagers the opportunity to frown upon the government. Only 4000 people were arrested in the riots, if 53% were teenagers, then that is 2120 teenagers arrested. So what? If just over 2000 teenagers decide to go on a riot, it's highly unfair for the mass media to "slash" teenagers and start claiming "they are all out of control". Also, the mass media especially on news documentaries, only shows illiterate teenagers or un-educated teenagers. It rarely shows studious and polite teenagers (Except when reporting about A levels and GCSE's), this is a very "sneaky" trick and enhances the stereotype of modern day teenagers.

However, not all teenagers are as innocent as they seem - especially inside school. In a recent poll, it was discovered that over 70% of parents and teachers wanted to bring back 'corporal punishment' in schools, such as the infamous 'canining'. If you thought this was bias towards adults, it wasn't, over 50% of teenagers agreed with bringing caning back and felt it as a necessary way of teenagers being able to control unruly pupils inside classrooms.

Also, the government feels that 'Ofsted' is incorrectly rating secondary schools. Ofsted rate 1 in 10 schools as being 'outstanding' which is about 600 schools (in britain), however the government feel that 54% of these schools, need to be re-evaluated due to poor teaching rates and simply not enough interaction from students willing to learn.

Many teenagers who are upset about the way they are viewed by a large majority of people, are starting to blame the government. Since the Conservative party came into power along with the Liberal Democrats (Causing a Co-alition), teenagers don't seem to have been benefiting at all - facing huge losses with finance and career advice but mainly by being portrayed negatively by the government and in the mass media!

---

I was wondering if you think that teenagers are now seen as the denomination of society? (lowest form) - I think they definitely are, they stereotypes they are given and the way they are portrayed by the government and media, is definitely negative or at least has a negative "aura" around it.

But yeah, what do you lot on here think ?

Thread moved by Infectious (Forum Super Moderator): From "Current Affairs", as it is better suited here!

[FlyingJesus]

EMA has been replaced by independant financing, it's not as though students have been left to fend entirely for themselves.

Young people going straight into work rather than uni means that we have more manual labourers (something that has historically been a strong British export commodity) and a better quality of graduates rather than a high number of people with useless qualifications.

Unemployment affects everyone, not just teens. It's just that teens obviously won't have the experience that many older persons can offer to a company, but training is available in ample quantity.

No-one honestly thinks that all teenagers are troublesome and need to be whipped into shape. The media shows the worst of the generation because those are the ones making stories - it would be a very slow news day if there was a report on how some kid managed to walk home without mugging anyone or that someone is very pleased with their B in food tech.

The negative portrayal of teens is not down to the government one single bit - it's down to teens.


Also you're totally using the word denomination wrong

[MKR&*42]

Hmm, yes you made a few fair points, but I still disagree it's nothing to do with the government.

The negative portrayal, yes that's probably mainly media. But the government still is targeting the younger generation in this time of "economic troubles" - It's unfair to scrap 4 methods which many teenagers would need for career advice and financial support in the future, especially considering they've also removed EMA's.

Also - raising university fees is ridiculous. Many people feel, and it is usually the outcome, that going to university doesn't benefit you a great deal in the future - some people go to college and uni. end up with fantastic grades and then struggle to get a job. Raising the price of university fees is just going to deter more people away, meaning less qualified people for the small minority of jobs that are available.

And in regards to unemployment, I know it affects a lot of people - but the majority are now teenagers. To gain experience or qualifications for a good job with lots of other competitors, 1. Isn't easy 2. Is very expensive, so unless they can scrape some money from somewhere, not a lot of them will be able to get a good start in the future.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I apologise if i'm slightly vague in my replies, but anything you wish to tackle/discuss you can bring me up on.

The first sign that teenagers are becoming the "Denomination", is the scrapping of EMA's (Education Maintenace Allowance's). The EMA's paid for the cost of students who attend college, it would usually cover the cost of bus fares, possibly meals and resources that you purchase for your college courses. EMA's were usually £10-£30 given to students per. week, however the government have now removed these in an attempt to save money. Many students are obviously angered over the EMA removal and many consider it unfair because it's only a small amount of money, unlike the cost of giving millions of pounds to other countries in debt.

This has then had a knock-on effect on secondary school students. Thousands of students with GCSE's, simply aren't going into college because of the EMA support grant being removed and because university fees are rising. This has left thousands of students feeling helpless in regard to financial support when deciding on college and university, and will often deter students away from the decision of going to college and university also considering that most parents don't have enough money to fund future education, specifically university fees. It is not only EMA support which has been removed, Aim Higher and face-to-face careers guidance have been cut back as well.

Then they will have to get a job like everybody else, won't they?

Youth unemployment, is also disheartening teenagers across britain. Last weeks official figures revealed that 1 in 5 or nearly 1 million young people aged from 16-24 are out of work (Unemployed). Teenagers are often feeling disheartened, and have a lack of confidence to try and find employment, also many students who have good grades simply feel they won't be useful in the future and that good grades don't have much impact on the future anymore. The government has also decided to remove many businesses which help teenagers with job guidance, the famous "connexions" business is having to remove its services from many places as well as other career supporting businesses.

This is a valid point, however youth unemployment is much higher than it should be. The reason for this is very simple, the minimum wage. As Milton Friedman explains much better than I can..

One of the final points that shows teenagers in a negative viewpoint, is the media. For example when the riots in england happened, Television, Radio, Newspapers etc. all promoted a negativity around teenagers by using facts such as: "Over 53% of people arrested in the riots were teenagers" or headlines such as "Are britains youth out of control?". This is, of course making the view on teenagers, less and less appealing for the older generation and it also gives teenagers the opportunity to frown upon the government. Only 4000 people were arrested in the riots, if 53% were teenagers, then that is 2120 teenagers arrested. So what? If just over 2000 teenagers decide to go on a riot, it's highly unfair for the mass media to "slash" teenagers and start claiming "they are all out of control". Also, the mass media especially on news documentaries, only shows illiterate teenagers or un-educated teenagers. It rarely shows studious and polite teenagers (Except when reporting about A levels and GCSE's), this is a very "sneaky" trick and enhances the stereotype of modern day teenagers.

It is undeniable that our generation is one of the worst, as a result of our parents generation also being one of the worst. This is due to a complete breakdown in society; the weakening of divorce laws, the weakening of the Church of England, the end of due punishment in both education and the justice system, the idea that you are entitled to something for nothing from government (see minimam wage and EMA).. the list is endless, Britain is only following the path which most civilisations which have had their day followed - moral collapse.

Also, the government feels that 'Ofsted' is incorrectly rating secondary schools. Ofsted rate 1 in 10 schools as being 'outstanding' which is about 600 schools (in britain), however the government feel that 54% of these schools, need to be re-evaluated due to poor teaching rates and simply not enough interaction from students willing to learn.

Many teenagers who are upset about the way they are viewed by a large majority of people, are starting to blame the government. Since the Conservative party came into power along with the Liberal Democrats (Causing a Co-alition), teenagers don't seem to have been benefiting at all - facing huge losses with finance and career advice but mainly by being portrayed negatively by the government and in the mass media!

Our schools and education system are awful and it is the result of the destruction of our grammar schools over many decades, to be replaced with comprehensives (otherwise known as academies) which frankly, suck. The Labour Party pushed this and introduced the comprehensives whilst the Conservative Party, as useless as ever, stood by and now actually aids this process.

This is the prime reason for our schools being a national embarrassment and this will continue until the grammars are returned.

[MKR&*42]

It is undeniable that our generation is one of the worst, as a result of our parents generation also being one of the worst. This is due to a complete breakdown in society; the weakening of divorce laws, the weakening of the Church of England, the end of due punishment in both education and the justice system, the idea that you are entitled to something for nothing from government (see minimam wage and EMA).. the list is endless, Britain is only following the path which most civilisations which have had their day followed - moral collapse.

I disagree that we are "one of the worst generations". I don't think you can exactly say teenagers/young adults are ruining the world - I would rather it be called the 'generation of change'. Everything in the world is changing entirely, like you said, Christianity is slowly dying out - more people are being brought up into an atheist world and paying more attention into "Seeing is believing" instead of the concept of faith and belief, (I would consider faith and belief 2 of the most important 'factors' in the world).

People have started to abandon the old methods of the world, and are switching over to new Technology. Life seems to evolve around the internet and phones according to most teenagers, when in fact they should be more focused on the more important issues on life - such as politics/government and the environment.

As I was saying, I wouldn't say it would be a complete breakdown in society - I would call it more of a 'changeover' to a new 'age' (e.g. medieval) - but I wouldn't name this age positively > "the age of change" can also be very negative - people will become more and more and more dependent on machines, so much that we will travel everywhere on a machine in the future (probably). Ruining lifestyle and fitness. But there could be positive changes - new technology, can help improve future problems and accelerate the earth into a future of possibilities.

I agree with you about the labour and conservative party being useless^ . I would rather have 1 of the smaller parties e.g. Green, BNP, UKIP. Come into power, considering they have some decent policies (BNP = For corporal punishment, and would def. stop immigration going sky high), and would be a nice 'change' to labour, conservative and the lib dem's messed up policies.

[FlyingJesus]

Also - raising university fees is ridiculous. Many people feel, and it is usually the outcome, that going to university doesn't benefit you a great deal in the future - some people go to college and uni. end up with fantastic grades and then struggle to get a job. Raising the price of university fees is just going to deter more people away, meaning less qualified people for the small minority of jobs that are available.

Going to uni doesn't benefit you so much now because of so many people doing so. Raising the fees acts as a mild deterrent for those just wanting to go for "the uni experience" and in my eyes the changes make financial sense anyway - I would certainly rather pay more now (using money that isn't even mine) and not have to pay a penny of it back until I earn a substantial amount than borrow a slightly smaller fee and start paying once I'm essentially in any graduate job, which is far more difficult to afford.

And in regards to unemployment, I know it affects a lot of people - but the majority are now teenagers. To gain experience or qualifications for a good job with lots of other competitors, 1. Isn't easy 2. Is very expensive, so unless they can scrape some money from somewhere, not a lot of them will be able to get a good start in the future.

I'm not going to call you a liar but I'd like to see a statement suggesting that the majority of unemployed persons of working age are teens. Also for those who are genuinely competitive and wanting to get into a certain area of work there are thousands upon thousands of training programs, many of them free or partly funded (Princes Trust being one that has incredible results) so really it is just our generation's laziness holding us back.

[shekii]

I totally agree with FlyingJesus, the university fee's will be going up to £9,000 a year in most universities. And to be honest a degree means not much these days because there's too many people with degree's which is a big worry for the job employment.

Click on the link; http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12880840

[GirlNextDoor15]

Okay. I don't think I'm capable of reading whatever you posted there as I don't even understand or know a single thing about it. So, yeah.
Imho, teenagers are not treated unfairly.

1. UK is a developed country and has the world's six largest economy. The country doesn't need to suffer like how poor countries (India etc.) do. So, the standard of living including the income per person can be considered as decent enough for survival. Teenagers don't have to suffer from poverty etc. What more can a teenager ask for? They have almost all the necessities of survival and they aren't treated unfairly.

2. You said that gaining experience or qualifications for a good job is not easy and very expensive. I disagree with this point because teenagers nowadays have to think innovative and realistic. Or else, they don't stand a chance in this society. They are also VERY picky when it comes to jobs. Even though they have good qualifications, they must not complain certain jobs because like you said, unemployment happens all the time. They should cherish every opportunity they have.

3. Like FlyingJesus said, university don't benefit teenagers like how it used to back then. A lot of people are going to university and it becomes common. It's not that you'll go woah if you hear someone excelling in a university. It's all different. Teenagers have to change their perceptions of life.

4. Don't blame the government. Blame the teenagers for their erratic behaviour.

[GommeInc]

I don't think they have a hard time at all. Take the media out of the case and you're left with teenagers that are virtually ordinary citizens. The media portrays teenagers as lazy and jobless, but they forget (the media) that their own reports show that unemployment in general is a problem for people of all ages.

Education is useless for many, when a practical application of skills is the pin-ultimate winner for employers - a 1:1 in Law means sod all if you do not have the experience to apply what you have learnt.

As FlyingJesus said, the problem with teenagers and young adults is that they are lazy and, in some cases, frustrated with themselves because they feel the need to be spoon fed. Training is available, and if you want a good job you can get funding to be put on training programmes or even apprenticeships/internships, or if your family are rich enough, just pay for one out of your own back pocket as it should benefit you in the future. University fees are a dodgy topic. Universities and the Government cannot be expected to pay for everyone wanting to go to University when there seems to be some unknown demand for a degree (or just a life of getting drunk and partying for a few years ). If you're doing a useless degree e.g. Football Management, Events Management, Equine Studies etc. then avoid university at all costs.

[Ardemax]

You can't fully blame the government and you can't fully blame teenagers.

I would agree 100% that the previous generation before us (our parents) wasn't as good as it should've been; in the sense that like Undertaker (Dan, I think ) pointed out, stuff like benefits (and claiming for something which isn't rightly yours) and how easy it is to get a divorce and stuff...

Teens aren't exactly "proving a point" by rioting, "mooching" school and doing nothing but sit around all day and claim job seekers allowance.