when I was 18 (16 years ago) I was a student at Uni.
I used to drink a stupid amount of alcohol and being an immature type who played rugby, me and my chums would think nothing of downing a load of alcohol and going around town stealing traffic cones etc etc.
My brother (who is 8 years older than me) did pretty much the same.
I used to smoke and every single but I had was pretty much discarded on the street (though I never really though of it as littering).
Now (at 34) I look back at those years with some regret. I look at people at that age and think how stupid they are.
However, I also think back with reality (as opposed to a lot of posters on here who have led exemplary lives) and realise that things aren't much difference.
I have no doubt that our behaviour was intimidating to older people - just as being older now, I find it slightly intimidating now.
Yes there is more emmigration now - but what are you comparing it to? 20 years ago, people didn't even go abroad for their holiday - now it is an annual event for most people.
Yes, there are problems with binge drinking, violence etc. But whilst they have increased, the media in the last 20 years has increased amazingly.
20 years ago, if someone was stabbed in London, if you lived outside of the capital you wouldn't know about it.
How many people in England know that the knife problem is over three times worse in Scotland? Again, media love to spin stories. Have dogs only started attacking kids in the last few years? Or have the media jumped onto emotive stories to sell more?
personally, I love the area I live in, as well as Britain, and feel that you get out of an area what you put in.
Of course, ask the majority of people what they do to help their community, and they will look at you blankly.