'Children need role models'

Mike Keegan

August 06, 2007

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THE leader of Manchester-based charity Youth Charter has hit out at a `tragic lapse' in efforts to end the nightmare of gun crime.

Geoff Thompson came to the city 15 years ago and has been involved in a number of projects at the heart of the communities affected by the violence.

But he believes the situation is now at an all-time low.

"It's never been worse," he said. "It's very depressing, it's very sad and it's very tragic."

The former world karate champion said that he had contacted leading figures from Manchester city council and Greater Manchester Police but had had no success.

"We seem to be treated the same way as the kids on the streets. We're seen and not heard. And where are United and City?

"These kids need role models. People like them who can speak their language. People from similar backgrounds who can show them that there is another way.

Communicate

"At the moment there are a lot of people who know how to tick boxes, but can't communicate with them."

He believes that youngsters who find themselves drawn into gangs should be targeted through sports and arts programmes.

"These kids hanging around on bikes - why are they not at the Velodrome? Why are they not dreaming of becoming the next Chris Boardman? Because there is nothing to do.

"It's the summer holidays now and what is going on? Where are the street games? This is peak season and yet nothing is going on. I have a talented boy here who is desperate to do an arts degree - but there is no funding for him.

"Another has been invited to the Caribbean to play for St Kitts at football - the national team. But we can't afford the £1,000 to send him there."

He added that businesses based in the region also need to play their part: "I've spoken to the Chamber of Commerce to ask them where is their corporate social responsibility. What are they doing?"

And the council's use of Asbos also came under fire.

"Asbos haven't fixed anything," he said. "All they have done is relocated and spread these types of crimes. That's why it's not just happening in Moss Side and Hulme any more."

What do you think? Have your say.

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David,North M/C (06/08/2007 at 12:38)

Children have got their own role models-rappers that preach violence and guns and absent male parents.

ace, manchester (06/08/2007 at 12:45)

David,North M/C
In full agreement with you .its time parents started to take control of their children.a young lad in the park in the early hours.sorry but children need to be in bed early and should be in school .not walking the streets in the early hours where the parents dont know where they are or what they are up to.

gato (06/08/2007 at 13:24)

Yes. They need role models, every child should have a Mum and Dad. If people cant make a commitment to marriage then how can they have a lifelong commitment to bringing up kids.

Mike S, Manchester (06/08/2007 at 14:44)

I agree - the majority of these incidents take place in the middle of the night. Even Jessie James, whose mother seems a very decent person, was cycling the streets at 2am at the age of 15 - why? I wasn't allowed out at that time when I was 18!

a.voiceofreason (06/08/2007 at 16:53)

If parents became more responsible and cared for their children instead of complaining that it was the states responsibility, stories like this would be out of the ordinary not an every day occurrence! Parents should wake up to their participation in the existence of the gang culture! These unfortunate kids did not ask to be born and they did not ask to be neglected from berth! It's never to late to make a difference!

black and blue, whalley range (06/08/2007 at 17:22)

I AGREE WITH ALL THE MESSAGES ON HERE,UNFORTUNATELY,TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE KIDS WITH PEOPLE WHO AREN'T FIT TO BE PARENTS AND DON'T STICK AROUND TO PARENT THEIR KIDS!! BLAME THIS AND BLAME THAT IT'S ALL NONSENSE.HOW CAN SOMEBODY BE SO STUPID AS TO BELIEVE THAT KILLING SOMEONE ISN'T WRONG? BEFORE ANYONE SAYS THAT CERTAIN KIDS DON'T GET A CHANCE THAT TOO IS RUBBISH!

David,North M/C (06/08/2007 at 19:57)

Geoff Thompson is now dragging City and United into this matter,pathetic.

KingCantona7, Ashton (06/08/2007 at 20:14)

I received no handouts from the government to complete my science degree and teaching qualification, all I got was a lot of sleepless nights, a hefty student debt and still no teaching job! If St Kitts want that kid to play for them, why dont they pay for him. Its all too easy to offer excuses for their actions.

sarahx, manchester (06/08/2007 at 21:25)

yes the children do need role models THE PARENTS!!!!!

jonah, usa (06/08/2007 at 22:04)

Somehow we've got to stop the WRONG people having children. Yes it's probably impossible but at least we can discourage them by stopping the financial incentives. In the long run it would work out more productive to pay them not to have kids.

LookingForLogic, Stockport (07/08/2007 at 00:51)

These kids do need more , & I agree completely with Youth Charter.
Being a single parent does not mean your kids are going to end up running the streets at all times of the day & night, unfortunately, however, an absent parent can cause great harm to a childs upbringing. But it is still better to have an absent father/mother/guardian than an abusive one,bringing you up
Where kids do not have the positive rolemodels in their lives we need to provide substitutes.
A big part of growing up is spending time with close relatives & engaging in activities with them.
Where this isn't happening we need to step in & offer opportunities for those Young People.
Lots of parents don't do all they could, but is it right for us to just blame them while ignoring the needs of the children? What does that solve?

PW, Manchester (07/08/2007 at 08:19)

Unfortunately, people in general have no wish nor interest in helping or sympathising with gangsters who deal in hard drugs and carry guns. That is a very hard fact of life. We've all got our own problems, but not going round making life hell for others. When I was a teenager in the 1970's we had even less than the kids get now. There are in fact some people who are very responsible for the kids and their role models. They're called parents, who either have no interest in what they've brought into the world, or they are themselves a direct influence on their wayward kids. Why is society always to blame? The vast majority of us get the very same start in life. We don't all turn out as thieves and murderers. The "Gangsta" values, music and everything is complete trash. There's surely a clue to the cause of the problems in that.

The Catcher, In the Rye (07/08/2007 at 11:41)

Normal family life (i.e. two married parents) is what children need.

moll (07/08/2007 at 13:17)

Role models should have been thought of along time ago. When the beatles were popular kids wanted flares and long hair. Now people like 50 cents, Eminem, Tu pac, Biggie smalls etc are popular kids want a gun and a gold chain.

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