WHO DO WE BLAME?



Well I knew it wouldn’t be long before our high divorce rate and single families were invoked as one of the reasons behind the mindless criminal rioting and violence that has gripped so many of Britain’s cities in the last few days. To quote from one source: “Many involved seemed to fit a picture of youngsters from broken families marginalised by society.”

Others of course have been identified as a teaching assistant, a chef, a graphic designer, a fork-lift truck driver, a car salesman, a university student and so the list goes on. Broken homes my foot; these people were greedy and opportunistic, rightly deserving to be punished by our criminal justice system.

Comments

Divorce Blogger said…
I agree entirely that commentators are oversimplifying matters when blaming divorce and the dissolution of the nuclear family for these spates of violence.

If divorce caused crime, then the Philippines would be a utopia when it actually has a relatively high level of violent crime.

Additionally, Malta – which is due to introduce divorce legislation in October – would be set to descend into chaos. Instead the sleepy Mediterranean island still seems relatively, well… sleepy.

Put simply, high divorce rates are not to blame.
David Hereford said…
I don't think that divorce itself causes crimes however I do believe that the break up of support groups such as the family does. Divorce is hard on the children however sometimes marriage can be just as hard. If two people are hurting each other physically or mentally by staying together, it would be best for them to divorce and go their separate ways..
The chaos in Britain does appear to be the result of a bunch of young people who grew up in dysfunctional homes...sad but true.
I have to agree with David. The break down in familie is the reason for young people turning to criminal activity.
Criminals dont think much. Its not that their dumb, their just dysfunctional. I think the dysfunctional usually has something to do with their childhoods.
Divorce Lawyer said…
I agree divorce can hit hard on young people but it doesn't mean it will turn them into criminals.
Single families and high divorce rates is unfortunately one of many reasons for criminal rioting and violence.
Anonymous said…
From The Eyes of a Child.

As a young child experiencing a divorce I felt responsible. I did not have the life experience or instruction necessary to understand or cope with what was happening to me. The people I relied on, my parents, my lifeline, were afraid to talk to me and tell me the truth. I was a smart kid and capable of understanding but was not getting complete information from the people who I was instinctively tethered to. Because of the lack of truthful communication I came to my own conclusions. It was obvious where my father was coming from by the evidence at hand, he left me and mom for another woman, he had started a new family, I was clearly unwanted and undesirable. Mom had to survive, this further complicated matters in that new men were brought into the home, this further compromised my standing as a person. The new men had their own motives and did what they had to in achieving their goals. At this point I was living a lie, my only ally, my mother, could not fill the shoes of what a boy needs, a father. I was interested in girls, boats, guns, coins, junk, and etc, you know, stuff moms don't understand. I needed someone to talk to and support me, I needed a father to teach me the truth about life and not drop the ball. I needed a parent to stick with me through thick and thin and show me they cared, only then could I muster the strength to care myself. Instead I was given a psychologist, further proof that something was wrong with me. I remember thinking the following as I proceeded to destroy myself; if someone would care I would stop.

This author is now 50 years old.

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