The growing problems involving antisocial behaviour for young people can be addressed by providing better facilities. If teens and young adults had a place to go in the evenings, the number of problems (such as gangs of teens roaming the streets) would decrease. Youth clubs provide lots of benefits for today’s younger generation.
Teenagers can gain important knowledge about life and skills that they may otherwise not be taught. Socialising with others can also help them create strong friendships with the adult leaders and the other members of the groups. This also allows trust to be gained between peers and leaders so the leaders can help offer advice to specific problems the teens may not get at home.
Recreation centres provide a safe place for youths who may not have the best lives at home or opportunities available to them. Financial investments at this stage may bear dividends from young people in the future. Extra-curricular activities also offer an effective way of using up the surplus energy of youths constructively where they may otherwise use it wandering the streets, which may cause disturbance and personal risk.
There is a clear obligation on society to provide adequate encouragement and opportunities for young people before negative behaviour can occur.
Liberty King, Welling Secondary School
