[Lampman]

Well,that was a good reponse!
As the author of the original posting I thank you for the time and effort in replying.
Now for my two pennyworth.
No of course not all teenagers are the same, we are all individuals,but personally I think things are getting worse by the day.
I work on the periphery of the Youth service(not myself a youth worker)Each day I see troubled teenagers in various moods,happy cheeky and carefree(as they should be).Moody and depressed(part of growing up).
Then I see the ones influenced by drink and drugs(sometimes both)foul mouth violent mini thugs.They bully and cajole their more timid peers constantly.
The Youth workers do an impossible job;befriending even the most vile behaved,in the hope that somewhere in the darkness a chink of light will be seen and that the youngster will grow through this difficult phase into a responsible adult.
I don't know the success rate,but suspect it is very low.
The teenagers misbehave then any person who tries to prevent them is verbally abused and always but alwaysthe rant ends with the time honoured phrase'Your'e not allowed to touch me'.
I myself am constantly facing verbal and sometimes physical threats.
Obviously I am seeing the darker side of youngsters behaviour,but the fact remains thousands of pounds are spent each year(by you dear taxpayer)to keep these kids off the streets and contained in one place.
The question is.
Is this money well spent?