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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:
Oor · 30/08/2024 20:56

The playgrounds near me are fine, they’re not trashed. There are a few skate parks by here though so maybe the teens are more entertained. Is there not much for them to do where you live? I’m not saying it’s okay for them to trash playgrounds if there isn’t much to do though

MontereyK · 30/08/2024 20:54

I grew up in the UK but now live in Australia, I agree with you, I think if that happened here it would literally make the local news. I think a difference is that teenagers here generally aren't allowed to roam the streets in big groups in the evening by their parents whereas in the UK that was pretty normal. Maybe German teens aren't allowed to either?

Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 20:51

FinallyYouSaid · 30/08/2024 20:48

Are you on holiday in Germany op? If so I'd guess you've chosen a nice area to visit.

I live in a very nice, coastal tourist spot in the UK. We don't generally have any problems with vandals either. The community council and various neighbourhood watch schemes would be out for blood! Hooligans go elsewhere to hooligan.

Sort of a holiday... babysitting grandson in Bavaria
The thing is the villages in the uk are in a lovely area. In no way a place where there is any financial deprivation

OP posts:
FinallyYouSaid · 30/08/2024 20:48

Are you on holiday in Germany op? If so I'd guess you've chosen a nice area to visit.

I live in a very nice, coastal tourist spot in the UK. We don't generally have any problems with vandals either. The community council and various neighbourhood watch schemes would be out for blood! Hooligans go elsewhere to hooligan.

Zanatdy · 30/08/2024 20:48

Well teenagers have been wrecking playgrounds for years, and yes it’s pretty awful. I’ve got 2 teens and they are not awful, they wouldn’t trash a playground

Needmorelego · 30/08/2024 20:47

@Fedupwithteenagers24 I'd say it's more likely to be adults who are drunk and/or on drugs.
They are more likely to be out at night and off their faces than teens.

Fedupwithteenagers24 · 30/08/2024 20:46

Needmorelego · 30/08/2024 20:43

How do you know it's teens doing it?

Well that's true. I don't.

But I can't imagine who else who do it

OP posts:
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

OP posts:
weareallqueens · 30/08/2024 20:45

I don't know if a lack of facilities for young people in the evening is the problem. Or are we just a totally fucked up society. I do despair of how these people will grow up.

Needmorelego · 30/08/2024 20:43

How do you know it's teens doing it?

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.

WhyIhatebaylissandharding · 30/08/2024 20:42

Pretty sure there will be some vandalised playgrounds in Germany. Might just be the teenagers where you are, play parks near me are all fine.

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