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mrphOr, then again, possibly there isn't. Looks like uk.people.gothic is treading familiar ground with another "crime and punishment" / "juvenile delinquents" thread. All the usual people are adopting all the usual positions. These can be summarised as follows:
Conservatives / right-wing types:
"These kids need discipline, to knock them into shape! Teach them to respect their betters!"
Which seems to be based in a belief that people, without Discipline and Order, are basically bad. The problem is lack of moral fibre. They need a system to keep them honest.
Knee-jerk liberals:
"These kids need education, to show them that there's more to life"
Which seems to be based in a belief that intelligent/educated people are basically law abiding, if only out of enlightened self-interest. The problem is a grim environment and the lack of opportunities, with the depression that breeds.
Hmm. I think I veer strongly towards the second view - but in a context where crime is rife and punishment is unlikely, I'm not sure enlightened self-interest is a reliable saviour.
Conservatives / right-wing types:
"These kids need discipline, to knock them into shape! Teach them to respect their betters!"
Which seems to be based in a belief that people, without Discipline and Order, are basically bad. The problem is lack of moral fibre. They need a system to keep them honest.
Knee-jerk liberals:
"These kids need education, to show them that there's more to life"
Which seems to be based in a belief that intelligent/educated people are basically law abiding, if only out of enlightened self-interest. The problem is a grim environment and the lack of opportunities, with the depression that breeds.
Hmm. I think I veer strongly towards the second view - but in a context where crime is rife and punishment is unlikely, I'm not sure enlightened self-interest is a reliable saviour.
