Recent figures show an increase in violent crime among youngsters under the age of 18. Some psychologists claim that the basic reason for this is that children these days are not getting the social and emotional learning they need from parents and teachers. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this option?

It does seem to be true that

parents

and

teachers

have lost the authority they used to have, especially in the eyes of teenagers. They are no longer seen as models for behaviour: hard work, politeness and other positive qualities are seen as old-fashioned. Many young people have no respect for these qualities or the people who represent them. In fact, I think some young people today are so rebellious that it’s possible that both

parents

and

teachers

are afraid to exercise their authority.

However

, I do not agree that

this

is the basic reason for the increase in teenage violence. While I believe it is true that a lack of social and emotional learning contributes to the problem, other factors are surely involved: economic factors,

for example

. If a child comes from a poor family and they live in low-quality housing in an undesirable area,

this

is sure to affect the child,

however

loving the

parents

are. There is

also

the question of who your friends are. I believe that when you are in your teens your friends have more influence on you than your

parents

or

teachers

. At that age, you want to be part of a group, or even a gang, and

this

might lead to breaking the law in a number of ways. In conclusion, while I agree that lack of social and emotional learning from

parents

and

teachers

is a factor in the growth of teenage violence, I do not believe it is the only, or even the main cause.