Cut the Crap: Kindness Isn’t Working?

I don’t know why, but as you get older, more things seem to bother you. I have always disliked violence. Some teenagers, though not all, often show disrespect for almost everything.

I was horrified to read about two teenage boys who tortured two swans for a social media prank.  I wrote about it here:

These boys forced one swan to inhale vape fumes. Its mate, who stays with it for life, lay still on the bottom of the boat.  They later dumped the swan in the bushes.

In a more recent incident at Perth Zoo, near my hometown, two youths (aged 16 and 17) broke into the zoo in the evening.  The pair cut the locks on the crocodile enclosure.  Once inside, they allegedly struck a male crocodile with a metal pole.

CCTV cameras inside the enclosure recorded the pair. Then, they allegedly damaged both cameras by taking them off the wall. This isn't just foolish; it also shows the younger generation is going backward.

In Australia, the government says juvenile crime has fallen by around 28% in the past ten years.  If it was already way too high, then the drop is not as impressive. Young people are often linked to property offences, including theft and unlawful entry. They are less often involved in serious violent crimes.

So, these incidents involving the animals are not violent?

Don’t they show a complete lack of respect for society?

You might say, “Well, these are only animals, who cares?”

Shame on you if you do, because these animals have done nothing wrong.  They are not like a rogue shark that has attacked swimmers or something.  The broader issue also involves people.

Earlier this month, juveniles reportedly taunted a 25-year-old man. They threw rocks at him and knocked him out. He was left with brain damage. What did he do?

He stuck up for the workers in a Hungry Jack’s store who were being abused by the juveniles.  When he went outside to eat his meal, the juveniles set upon him, and one threw a rock from behind, which hit him on the head.

These cases aren't alone. They’re not the only examples of serious violent crimes. Consider these:

• Last month, a 13-year-old girl faced charges for assault. She was accused of actual bodily harm, both alone and with others.

She pulled a 14-year-old friend of a former colleague off the bus. Then, she kicked and punched her.  The saddest part that the bus driver did absolutely nothing. When the victim was lying on the ground, he simply drove off.

• A Queensland teen has breached bail 25 times this year. He’s been convicted of 108 offences. Now, he has been bailed again. This time, he was granted bail after an alleged midnight armed robbery with his adult brother.

• Seven teenagers, including a 14-year-old, were charged with murder. The charges followed an alleged violent carjacking in Queensland.

• A 16-year-old girl received an 18-month youth supervision order instead of jail time. She stole a taxi at knifepoint and crashed it at high speed.

• A 14-year-old boy caused a crash. This accident nearly killed other drivers. It also led to a woman experiencing a miscarriage, a court heard.  Police say he tested positive for methamphetamine at the scene. Then, he caused another crash after leaving the hospital.

• Earlier this month, a group of six teens who were stealing from his shop attacked the shopkeeper. They were all let out on bail, and none have had convictions recorded.  Two were given suspended six-month sentences. Two were given 18-month probation.  One was given 60 hours of community service. The last received restorative justice, which is voluntary. The youngest was 14 years old.

Despite being banned from coming within 50 meters of his shop. One of the youths returned to mock him shortly after the trial.

Here is the kicker for me about all of these.  They were all let out on “supervised bail", except in one case. Who does the supervision?  The parents!

It’s becoming all too common where I live, and I do not think it is any different in other parts of the world.

They zoom around on their scooters in shopping centres. They even do burnouts inside fast-food restaurants, with families nearby. 

I saw this at a shopping centre. Five kids attacked two others. They beat them up and stole the two victims’ e-scooters.  This was in the middle of the day when they should have been in school.

Older men may take matters into their own hands. One man tried this early in the year. He tied up two juveniles who had broken into his house, holding them there until police arrived. Now, he faces charges for assault. This could send men like him to prison. Meanwhile, children believe they can escape the consequences.

Juveniles commit crimes for several reasons: immaturity, risk-taking, peer pressure, and impulsive behaviour. I’ve never had kids, so I’m not the best person to discuss family matters. But, without good parental guidance or steady monitoring, youth often lack clear boundaries.

I have spent a lifetime teaching ethics, doing the right thing and respecting others. Many parents of these juvenile offenders have lost control. Often, they don’t know what’s happening.  Yet the authorities return these offenders to their care?

People are crying out for the police to get control.  I don't believe this is the crux of the matter. Juvenile offenders often get caught but are released by a sympathetic judge. Often judges say, "Poor kid, they don’t know any better."  It was a spur-of-the-moment lapse.”

Bullshit!!!

If you're old enough to commit violence like in these cases, you should learn a lesson in humanity 101.  If you can’t learn, then you don’t deserve to be in society.  The kindness thing is not working! We need tougher penalties. Juveniles must understand that consequences are serious. A simple slap on the wrist isn’t enough.  A caution of “behave well from now on” isn't enough.

There are simply no deterrents.  While there are no deterrents, these thugs will continue on their merry way doing whatever they like,. The community has to put up with it.

Cut the crap – kindness does not work!

Rant over!

Till next time,

Calvin