With a dismal, disjointed Easter and impending examinations, it is little surprise teens are counting down to a romanticised long, hot summer ahead. For many this includes foreign holidays - without the parents.
Extreme case studies and tacky documentaries depicting the scandalous behaviour of Brits abroad have tarnished the reputation of young travellers.
The problem is nothing new - in 1998, the UK vice consul to Ibiza resigned over behaviour of British 'degenerates' holidaying on the island.
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Yet it is evident that these extremes are restricted to a minority of young Brits abroad.
One trend sees men - albeit in their late-teens or early 20s - travel independently, often at the last minute and comparatively more troublesome than rowdy, yet supervised Club 18-30 members.
Our reputation is also underpinned by badly behaved stag and hen parties. Dublin saw a decline in arrests and hospitalisations after banning such groups from its Temple Bar area.
Moreover, research suggests it isn't only youths causing trouble abroad, with a new breed of Saga louts' making the headlines. Though the idea of anti-social OAPs may sound absurd, Alcohol Concern has already expressed anxiety over estimations that more one million over-65s drink at unsafe levels.
The Foreign Office fears they are displaying abusive and reckless behaviours whilst on holiday and the BBC unearthed surprising statistics that one in ten pensioners book breaks in order to go clubbing!
Whilst parents are understandably worried about the potential dangers of their offspring holidaying without their guidance, there are undeniable advantages to rewarding trustworthy teens with opportunities for travel.
In a society with increasingly fewer chances for us to be independent, holidays provide the opportunity to experience managing money, domestic arrangements and finding our feet in a new town within a safety zone of supportive friends.
Independent trips also help wean teens off family holidays, a relief to parents and their bank balances!
SO TRUE!
Had a trip with friends last yr and it all went smoothly. Think ppl expected us to cause havoc or something but were well behavd all the way thru.
I know some ppl just go to cause trouble but loads of teens just want a fun holiday - doesn't always mean binging and all.
SO TRUE!
Had a trip with friends last yr and it all went smoothly. Think ppl expected us to cause havoc or something but were well behavd all the way thru.
I know some ppl just go to cause trouble but loads of teens just want a fun holiday - doesn't always mean binging and all.
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