Children and knives - is this an intuitive leap too far?

[seeker]

I've been thinking a lot today about how we protect our children. The was prompted partly by A Child in our Time last week, when a little girl said she couldn't go to the shop alone "because there would be no one to guard me" and partly by a long thread on here about what 7 year olds could or couldn't do.

Is it possible that the rise in teenagers carrying knives "for protection" (that's what they always say if asked why they carry them) is caused by us telling them from an early age that the world is a dangerous place full of "strangers" and unknown perils, and they are only safe when they are in our sight. It seems logical, in a strange sort of way that a child with this mind set would think they needed something to defend themselves with when out on their own.

What does anyone else think?

I think it is more linked to the whole growth in gang culture. The "for protection" thing generally seems to refer to protecting themselves against the rival gang.

Not interesting then.

It might be an intuitive leap too far, but it is an interesting idea. I'm worried about foisting too negative a view of our society on my children. I don't think I have overplayed risk. But I have overplayed a sort of cosmic pessimism about human nature, environmental catastrophe, etc. I am consciously being more upbeat now.

No, it's possible the rise in teens carrying knives is caused by the breakdown of the family, the growing gap between rich and poor, the erosion of law and order and the increased drink/drug culture.

I think it is more a status symbol thing, and fitting in with and belonging to a gang, but your theory could have something to do with it, although it is probably more the result of feeling the need to protect oneself in the rough and often dangerous cities, rather than a result of what their parents told them about stranger danger when younger. I don't know though, am just basing this on my own opinions!

or, what expat said.

what many don't realise is that life for some of these kids really is dangerous. if you live in a rough estate, if you are born into a family of people who have enemies or into a family that puts you at increased risk of joining a gang then the dangers you face are very real and far more present than people who grow up in different circumstances.

yep, exactly. For some of these kids no one else is going to watch their back so they have to protect themselves. It is a sorry state of affairs.

society as a whole doesn't value kids.

so they in turn grow to feel that they don't value society.