[WillowTheWhisp]

I agree with you that at 18 many young people are really not mature enough to make serious decisions even though they themselves probably think they are. I remember someone I know saying she was voting for a certain person because he was good looking! Like that is really going to help run the country.

One reason why poorer families do not encourage their children to stay on at school and beyond is the actual cost of them going to Uni. The lack of student grants and the ethos of student debt doesn't create an ideal situation. I've heard people say that the government obviously doesn't want poor people to get a higher education these days and I can see why they feel that way.

The way JohnW talks about the USA he gives the impression that there is very little evidence of problems caused by low income let alone drug dealers etc. My cousin lives in California which has its share of affluence but also a large number of people not only on the poverty line but well below it and referred to as "the underclass" - what a depressing title.

Kids in pubs. Yes well my kids go with us into pubs for meals. Quite often the best meals out are to be found in pubs. They don't drink alcohol (but then again neither do I) Maybe it's because pubs concentrate more on the restaurant side these days that you get whole families in there.

I see young drunks in town too but it's hard to know how old they are. There does seem to be this culture amongst young teens that you can't have enjoyed yourself unless you get totally blotto and can't remember a thing the next morning. I think alcopops and fancy drinks have a lot to do with encouraging kids to drink. It's a sad state of affairs isn't it?