I do think that a lot of the problem lies with parents who don't instill the right values in their children in the first place, don't follow through with discipline and don't back the schools when problems ensue.
I had a run-in with a Y6 child a couple of days ago. He physically assaulted DS1 in front of me, so I "had words" with him. As I was speaking, he said "Yeah, right" and just walked off. I was gobsmacked. However, I have heard subsequently that that was actually quite polite for that boy. He'd been sent to the headteacher for calling his form teacher a slag and, when allowed to return to the class, told her to fck off. This is a 10yo. Where* do they learn that that behaviour is acceptable??? Strangely the day after I'd spoken to him, he was "off sick". Hmm.
And then you ask yourself what sort of home background does this child have? He's a known bully, using his fists and feet; he's verbally abusive to staff and other adults. Why?
And, apart from the unrealistic expectations that they will just walk into a high-paid job with no effort or qualifications, they know that, in the end, the state will pay for them to live.
I despair at the prospect of the good values I try to instill in my children being eroded by the constant parade of bad values in front of them. Where is the incentive to take your litter home with you when you see your peers (and often their parents) just chucking theirs down in the street?