British children worse off

[AB Asks]

British children are the worst off in the world's 21 richest nations according to a United Nations report. Teenage births in Britain are the worst in the developed world; British children are likely to be drunk from 11 onwards, and most likely to have had sex by 15.

The report challenged Labour's ideas that all kinds of families are good and children suffer mainly from poverty and bad parenting.

What do you think about these findings? What do you think has driven British children to drinking alcohol, the high rates of teenage pregnancy and underage sex?

[Lonnie]

I agree, totally.
You could actually call it child abuse.

Neglect of the children by adults not taking their responibilities seriously.

In two parent families, farming their children off to minders while they both go to work.
Where possible, one parent, preferably the mother, should be at home until the children are at least five years of age.

One parent families,
Generally, no father to guide the boys.

Irrisponsible Parents are the not the whole, but are definately the main cause.

Just how much more would you like me to say?,

[oldwoman]

I think it is a shame when children have to hang around in door ways because they have no where else to go. In my younger days at least we had coffee bars and dance halls. I see a lot of young parents taking their kids to school with a can of beer in their hands. If the children see it why should they act any differently.

[jenstar]

Don't knock it! I wish I'd drunk more and had more sex when I was a teenager.

[stokeace]

so whats the answer?give them more money in benefits which should go to the children but obviously goes on the parents keeping them in the drunken lifestyle they are accustomed to and which the children later emulate in their older life.its a never ending vicious circle.1 parent families and indeed parents of children get enough money off the state ie family allowance and child tax benefits to help supplement low incomes and ensure that children arent in the poverty trap if parents decide to spend money intended for kids by ******g it up the wall then thats their problem if the kids turn out to be unruly drunken teenagers.

[Lonnie]

The answer, only in the long term, is to have a written code of behaviour set out for the parents, as a guide only.
Its the parents who have to set an example to the kids.

I'll write it.

[kwicky]

If the UK is bottom of the list of 21 nations maybe we should examine the top ie Holland. No child there is called a failure as every person has something to contribute. The exams cater for this to bring out the best in the child. None feels unwanted and destined for the scrap heap. Each one has equal worth.
Based on this the problem in the UK is not insurmountable is it?

[kwicky]

Sorry should be orgasm. With failing eyesight and a braIn to match must use a spellchecker more often.

[Coldicote]

I'm sure there's a lot of truth in these comments, but I do wonder what the sources of information were that gave rise to this United Nations report. Where did they get their facts and figures from?

[Booldawg]

you forgot to mention the kebab after!

[netibiza]

This question says it all, Britain is getting worse, parents are mainly to blame.