THE CRYPTIC CRITIC The World According to Kate FAILURE TO LAUNCH YOUTH CRIME

THERE was a time, not long ago, when children were taught about life at a young age. They learnt hard lessons and how to face real-life decisions as they worked with their family members on the land or in the household. Today we refer to this as a 'hard' life.

siderate of their parent's limitations as they age. Sometimes even becoming their parent's carers until their death. That is the previous generation.

it is simply not family-like.

IN a recent edition of The Courier Mail, there were calls for the government to get smarter, not tougher, in dealing with youth crime. The latest Crime Report shows that youth crime has steadily increased since 2015/16. Why?

The problem starts in our schools, where certain youth quickly learn that anti-social behaviour, such as abusing and assaulting fellow students and teachers and dealing drugs, is quite acceptable, and the resultant punishment, if any, is light on. This and a lenient Youth Justice Act are two ingredients for Youth Crime to flourish!

Surely it's common sense that if the penalties for stealing and wrecking cars, breaking into homes and shops and assaulting people are light, often a slap on the wrist, the errant youngster will take the risk and commit the crime. To them, it's fun! A chance to big note themselves with an ever-widening audience on Instagram and Tik Tok. These social media sites are full of such examples.

By all means, get smarter by eliminating these offensive social media blogs, and ferret out the drug dealers and criminal gangs which help promote these teenage criminals. Start a crime prevention program in our schools.

When caught and sentenced, lock these young criminals up in isolation. Re-educate them for as long as it takes to properly rehabilitate them. But don't go soft on being tough. The young criminal must understand, `If you do the crime- then you will do the time`.

It was approximately forty years ago when firm discipline was acceptable. Discipline, not abuse. Perhaps we should call this the 'medium' life. We were taught life lessons a little later and with less pain, but in a way that we would mature to the point of finding independence from parental figures whilst still accepting guidance.

Today, discipline is scarce and, when executed, generates much gossip. This 'easy' life, where children are protected from realism, and fed fantasy through the entertainment industry, is not what it's all cracked up to be.

I have some close friends over sixty who live at home but are independent. Their choice to not marry and live under their parent's roof whilst carving their own identity has been deeply engrained in respect and interdependency. They help around the house without asking, contribute financially and are con-

Introducing this generation - sometimes referred to as the alpha or disappointed generations. This generation seems to prefer staying at home for as long as possible, not contributing but rather feeding off parental figures like leaches. They have jobs and may even contribute financially, but only because they are told to. Deep down, they don't believe they should. Given half the chance, they won't.

Three in my family tree, all in their mid-twenties, are perfectly happy living in The Parents Hotel. They are provided with food, transport, financial loans on occasion, cleaning services and constant reminders about what they are forgetting to do. It is, indeed, all about them.

They will agree to anything whilst doing the bare minimum. They are masters of making you believe it is your fault. They do not intend to get a driver's licence or move out, although they speak about it to get you off their back. They won't agree to any form of 'tenancy' or 'roommate' agreement because