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Original poster

UK teenagers are awful

212 replies

Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 20:38

I live between two villages in the UK. Both have playgrounds aimed at under tens. Both are frequently trashed. Broken bottles left there overnight, stuff sprayed over the equipment. This has been particularly bad over the summer holidays. Currently in Germany. Loads of playgrounds, toys are left there anyone can use them. Nothing is vandalised. Why are things so bad in the UK? And before I get asked neither the UK venue or German one have any areas aimed at teenagers. But somehow the German ones don’t wreck their surroundings.

OP posts:
Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:18

x2boys · 30/08/2024 21:18

It really isn't.

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What is very good about the UK?

Original poster
Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 21:18

jannier · 30/08/2024 21:13

Last time I went to Zurich it was awful

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To be fair that's Switzerland

OP posts:
x2boys · 30/08/2024 21:18

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:12

It’s the truth though. The UK really is a dump compared with many other European countries. All have their faults of course, but virtually everything about the UK is substandard or worse.

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It really isn't.

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:17

Demonhunter · 30/08/2024 21:17

You clearly never lived in the actual residential non expat parts of Spain and Greece then 🤣

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I did actually!!!!

Demonhunter · 30/08/2024 21:17

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:12

It’s the truth though. The UK really is a dump compared with many other European countries. All have their faults of course, but virtually everything about the UK is substandard or worse.

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You clearly never lived in the actual residential non expat parts of Spain and Greece then 🤣

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:17

The teens round here split into 2 groups really. Nice polite kids, getting on with life. Or North Face clad terrors who blow vape smoke everywhere, say ‘fuck’ every other word, and generally seem to be doing nothing with their lives. Sadly group number 2 is a lot bigger.

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:15

jannier · 30/08/2024 21:13

Last time I went to Zurich it was awful

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That’s 1 city in 1 country.

Diversion · 30/08/2024 21:14

I also work with young people and am frequently amazed by their resilience, knowledge, kindness and politeness. On paper many of them are challenging, in person many of them are often amazing, just requiring support and someone to give them a chance. This week alone I have had three young people send me messages of their success and all of them saying thank you. Please do not tar everyone with the same brush.

jannier · 30/08/2024 21:13

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:12

It’s the truth though. The UK really is a dump compared with many other European countries. All have their faults of course, but virtually everything about the UK is substandard or worse.

Show quote history

Last time I went to Zurich it was awful

jannier · 30/08/2024 21:13

Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 20:45

I sort of agree with you both

If it was just one playground in uk I would think just a bad group alas and they will grow up, but it's both villages.

And my working life was spent with teenagers. They were , by and large, funny inventive and great to be around. But they are dreadful in groups. Absolutely awful

Maybe as villages there is nothing for them to do and no transport boredom always causes issues. Of course nobody wants to set up a youth club.

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:12

x2boys · 30/08/2024 21:11

🙄🙄🙄another UK bashing thread it must have Been at last ten minutes since the lsst

It’s the truth though. The UK really is a dump compared with many other European countries. All have their faults of course, but virtually everything about the UK is substandard or worse.

x2boys · 30/08/2024 21:11

🙄🙄🙄another UK bashing thread it must have Been at last ten minutes since the lsst

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:11

Suzuran · 30/08/2024 21:03

The teens around here make the play areas unusable. Smoking, drinking, lounging on the equipment. In some cases, drugs.

Same here. Our local park is a meeting place for bored teenagers who want to vape, drink and practice their rubbish graffiti ‘street art’

Blueybanditbingochilli · 30/08/2024 21:09

YANBU but buckle in because you’ll encounter fierce resistance for criticising anyone or anything as an OP.

It all boils down to poor parenting and zero respect. There’s a cop out excuse for everything and teens are treated, and described as, children.

Original poster
Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 21:09

Haroldwilson · 30/08/2024 21:06

The Germany that has a big problem with neonazis at the moment? That Germany?

I don't think you're comparing apples with apples.

The area I am in has more issues with climate change protesters than neo nazis

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 30/08/2024 21:09

Wasn't it teenagers who did the stabbings at that German festival?
It seems very odd to blame teens for something unless you've actually witnessed it.

Iwasafool · 30/08/2024 21:08

They are fine round here but we are under a mile to a beach and the teenagers tend to go to the beach and swim/paddleboard/surf so I guess that have more interesting things to do.

Haroldwilson · 30/08/2024 21:06

The Germany that has a big problem with neonazis at the moment? That Germany?

I don't think you're comparing apples with apples.

Willoo · 30/08/2024 21:06

It’s because they know they can get away with it. There’s nothing to be done in all honesty.

Takoneko · 30/08/2024 21:06

I work with UK teens and can’t agree that they are awful. The ones I work with are great. Perhaps the ones in your area are over privileged and entitled? Or maybe it’s drugged up adults rather than kids destroying the playgrounds.

littlebilliie · 30/08/2024 21:04

We are in city they are generally okay

Suzuran · 30/08/2024 21:03

The teens around here make the play areas unusable. Smoking, drinking, lounging on the equipment. In some cases, drugs.

ghostyslovesheets · 30/08/2024 21:01

Eh?

Original poster
Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 20:59

ghostyslovesheets · 30/08/2024 20:57

Oh 100% this - teens are a complex group - and not some homogenised mass - I work with teens who have been through extreme trauma and each and everyone of them has something of worth - something that, with nurturing, could produce amazing things. I am amazed some of them can function, given their ACE's but they are an awesome bunch - my own teens are pretty cool as well.

Maybe it's drunk ass adults smashing bottles in the park? Maybe, due to cuts to youth services, they are just bored and frustrated, maybe, because they know people feel like you about them they just thing 'well fuck it' and live up to the stereotype ?

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So it's my fault ?

OP posts:
ghostyslovesheets · 30/08/2024 20:57

user1471538275 · 30/08/2024 20:43

YABU

I have worked with lots of teenagers in different roles.

They are people, just like any other age group there are a variety of different types.

As a group they have a difficult time, very little power, lots of expectations and criticism from others and their future isn't looking that rosy either.

Give them purpose and responsibility, opportunities for them to learn skills and be physically competent and you often see an improvement.

We need to do better by our children, including our teenagers. We need to invest more time and money in them.

Oh 100% this - teens are a complex group - and not some homogenised mass - I work with teens who have been through extreme trauma and each and everyone of them has something of worth - something that, with nurturing, could produce amazing things. I am amazed some of them can function, given their ACE's but they are an awesome bunch - my own teens are pretty cool as well.

Maybe it's drunk ass adults smashing bottles in the park? Maybe, due to cuts to youth services, they are just bored and frustrated, maybe, because they know people feel like you about them they just thing 'well fuck it' and live up to the stereotype ?

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