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What’s wrong with the kids?

The recent riots have made me think a lot about what on earth has happened to our nation that something so ugly can happen in the blink of an eye. 

I’ve tried to get my head round it, but not sure I’ve come to any great conclusions. However, I have come across some opinions that resound with me.

First, Patrick Regan, a legend who works with gangs in London. I went first to see what his thoughts were. I came across this interview and a press release where he basically reminds us that the vast majority of young people in our country aren’t involved in riots, and in fact it was mainly adults who were instigating them. He also urges a patient approach to investigating the issues behind these riots.

The Archbishop of York offered his opinion in a statement. His views that the government’s role is to police, and that we as a society have to take responsibility for what’s happened both resound with me hugely.

Mark Easton, BBC home editor, usually has some interesting thoughts on society in Britain. His article suggests we have an underclass in Britain and picks apart the different government approaches over the past few years.

For some time Don Miller has been running a project in the USA where young men without positive male role models are mentored by volunteers from churches. They find that giving young men positive role models cuts down the chances of them turning to crime or other risky behaviour. Most people will tell you that not having a father at home increases the chances of a young person being involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.

Someone pointed me in the direction of this Andy Hawthorne speech recently, and I really do think what he has to say speaks into the issues that have resulted in the recent riots. I’d love to be even half as passionate as he is about reaching the lost!

Finally, BBC news has an article offering 10 opinions on why they happened. I’m really drawn to the consumerism and entitlement ideas, they’re interesting observations. 

I’m reminded that someone once said “if you want to know what’s wrong with a society, look at it’s children.”

My gut reaction is that we really can’t blame the young people who are rioting. Kids always model themselves on other people around them. They’re always going to get dragged along by a crowd so it’s not a surprise to find them looting shops with older peers. We have to take a collective responsibility for what has happened over the last week. We can’t turn this into a “them” and “us” because we’re all part of the same society.

And I’m more determined than ever to reach as many young people as possible with the good news of Jesus, see them discipled and see our society looking more and more like the Kingdom of God.