Is society more violent?

[BluebellsBluebell]

News this morning, 2 stories on increase in violence:

Teaching union reports rise in violence.

Railway workers state a considerable rise in violence towards them.

Society is more violent now or aibu nope its not.

https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/rail-assaults-road-assaults/#:~:text=Southeastern%20was%20the%20operator%20with,11%25%20reduction%20in%20passenger%20numbers.

Alarming increase in violence against teachers

https://www.nasuwt.org.uk/article-listing/violence-and-abuse-of-teachers-on-the-rise.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhile%20concerns%20about%20pupil%20behaviour,schools%20are%20struggling%20to%20contain.

What's changed in society that some feel violence is ok?

Compared to when?

Just doing so.e Google searches and it seems police figures also indicate 18% rise in crimes of violence 2021 - 2022

https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/trends-in-violent-crime/#:~:text=The%20police%20recorded%202.1mn,the%20year%20to%20March%202021.

If you compare it to the Middle Ages, probably not.

I read your thread title and my first response was “no” but reading your actual post, yes I think you’re absolutely right that it has. I think it’s a societal shift towards less respect for authority figures/institutions and it’s not a good thing.

I think people feel more able to get away with things that they wouldn’t have done even 20 years ago, which is strange when you think what a surveillance heavy society we live in now- you’re far more likely to be caught on camera than ever before.

Each story has different stats. The teaching union states violence against teachers is rising. The railway workers on the news thus morning say they now wear body protection and cameras. The police figures showed rise from 2021 to 2022.

Different stories all suggested same trend. Did you look at the different stories?

I would say no, there is a lot less rape and pillaging these days.

My view is that life has always been incredibly violent but in years gone by most individuals were violent to survive whereas these days they are violent just because they can be. Obviously not referring to people like hitler etc.

Indeed.

Sorry thread title isn't clear.

I was just sat watching the news and different sectors all mentioned it. My partner works for the NHS and again people are more angry and some violent.

I imagine there are a range of reasons but I cannot imagine ever hitting put at someone on a train, in school, in shops, hospitals etc.

Some of it is more reporting, but I agree with you.

Far too open ended a question to answer meaningfully. Violence in schools is a definite issue I think most can agree on though.

Good point.

Agree with others. Compared to when?

There may be an uptick in violence compared to say 20 years ago.

There could be reasons for this. Less policing, less respect for the police. More people living in poverty. Immigration. Lack of funding for services. Alcohol, drugs.

What do you think op?

Yes.

Posters on here ALWAYS deny society has changed in any way, that ‘it was always like this just less reporting/awareness’.

But yes, society is more violent now, and it’s not surprising given the changing times.

What do you mean by 'the changing times'

Yes I agree unclear question. I meant last 10 years or so.

I think similar reasons to you. Less respect, family background, drugs, etc.

Poverty
Permissive parenting
Lack of social contract or respect for authority/the system
Unemployment

Hum - changing times could be

Increased poverty as it has always correlated to increased crime

Do you think there may be more behind this ?

Perhaps it’s that people are more selfish and entitled and are prepared to tackle anyone who tries to prevent them getting what they want.

There's certainly been an exponential rise in shoplifting and staff are told not to attempt to prevent it, for fear of being attacked. Supermarkets are putting other preventative measures in place. It’s reported as being quite blatant, walking out with alcohol etc. I accept that there are some who are genuinely struggling, but most are opportunist and entitled.

As far as teaching is concerned, I was certainly assaulted some years ago. I think that there has been a rise in both low level disruption and more damaging violence in recent years and it’s a contributory factor to so many leaving the profession.

I don’t know about rail workers, but I wonder if the ongoing and lengthy disruption to services has something to do with it. Or is it just that people are more confrontational these days?

Agree, it's definitely a lot worse than 30 years ago but probably not as bad as in the Middle Ages. I think we all know what the poster means though, in recent lived history.

Total loss of respect for anyone it would appear. It's quite depressing and worrying.

I'd forgotten the rise in attacks on retail staff, shoplifters hitting out. Another group saying attacks have increased when they try to stop people stealing.

The railworkers story was about people who didn't buy tickets and became violent when asked for a ticket or denied travel without one.

Maybe entitlement, the 'I can do what I want to' attitude and 'no one is going to stop me '.

Certainly see that in some school students, untouchable. Perhaps that permeates through society? Lots of small things that add up. Entitlement to steal since 'they make enough profit ', 'others have it and I want it'. Possibly.

Found some stats for shop workers

https://www.usdaw.org.uk/About-Us/News/2024/Mar/FFF-Report#:~:text=Date%3A%2013%20March%202024%20Retail,compared%20to%208%25%20in%202022.

Again increase from 8% in 2022 to 18% in 2023