BLAME OPRAH

Fears as girls of 11 found drunk on streets (Brian Ferguson, The Scotsman, March 28th, 2005)

Girls as young as 11 are regularly being found drunk and incapable on the streets of the Capital amid growing fears about the effects of "ladette" culture.

Police chiefs said today that young girls now account for the vast majority of "teeny tipplers" picked up by officers in the city. [...]

Police chiefs said their greatest concern was the growing trouble caused by schoolgirls and the attitude of many parents.

A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman said: "The link between alcohol abuse and youth crime is nothing new, but what we are finding is a growing ‘ladette’ culture in the Capital. Girls are increasingly behind instances of drunken disorder and we’re asking parents to ensure that they know where their kids are and what they’re up to at night."

Officers said they were often astounded by the attitude of parents when they took their daughters, or sons, home drunk.

One officer told the Evening News: "Everyone seems to think their own kids won’t be the ones who are doing this. However, it’s quite clear that some parents either don’t know, or don’t care, what their children are up to.

"The first they know about it is when our officers bring ‘little Jenny’ home and she’s drunk. Even then, some will try and blame everyone else for her condition. Frankly, they need to get a grip."

Socio-economic factors undoubtedly play a role here, but perhaps not as much as one might imagine. Anyone who talks to a modern police officer or school principal will hear lots of tales of woe about how, while in times gone by parents generally supported and cooperated with authorities on discipline issues, even the most privileged are now more likely to hurl defensive accusations and threaten lawsuits at anyone who accuses their precious jewels of any wrongdoings.

Children used to be seen as unformed blobs of charming cuteness, neediness and selfishness that had to be guided and pushed into maturity by love, education and discipline. Now, more and more, they are seen by their parents as delicate, perfectly-formed creatures without original sin who are pre-destined to corner the market in silver futures or win an Olympic gold medal if no one fractures their fragile-as-fresh-eggshell egos. Such as by telling them they are in big trouble when they misbehave and are going to pay for it.