What the young British rioters really lack

 

British Prime Minister David Cameron, addressing Parliament on this week's riots, talks about morality and parenting.


Finally, Mr Speaker, let me turn to the deeper problems.

Responsibility for crime always lies with the criminal. But crime has a
context. And we must not shy away from it.

I have said before that there is a major problem in our society with children
growing up not knowing the difference between right and wrong.

This is not about poverty, it’s about culture. A culture that glorifies
violence, shows disrespect to authority, and says everything about rights
but nothing about responsibilities.

In too many cases, the parents of these children – if they are still around -
don’t care where their children are or who they are with, let alone what
they are doing.

The potential consequences of neglect and immorality on this scale have been
clear for too long, without enough action being taken.

As I said yesterday, there is no one step that can be taken.

But we need a benefit system that rewards work and that is on the side of
families.

We need more discipline in our schools.

We need action to deal with the most disruptive families.

And we need a criminal justice system that scores a clear and heavy line
between right and wrong.

In short, all the action necessary to help mend our broken society.

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