NEWS: UK to Target and Track Children of Criminals

The UK is trying to prevent children whose parents have a criminal background, from following them into a life of crime. They believe that by the early ages of 6 children can start to show violence and crime. It is hoped to create a youth program to prevent children whose fathers are in prison from following the same path.


Reportedly, 65% of children whose fathers are in prison will turn to violence and crime. The UK is hoping to start programs for kids such as art, sports, and drama, to intervene and possibly prevent the path of crime the kids might take. Giving them something to succeed at might prevent the crimes they might possibly make.

Involving parents in parenting classes is also something that officials are looking into. Mothers at Cornton Vale, near Stirling, will now have their children up to the age of 5 staying in prison with them. This information was released yesterday.

The UK needs to tread very, very carefully here, as this area was once studied by Hitler.

Please read links on "Nature vs Nuture and Hitler":


www.mugu.com...

genealogy.about.com...

I don't think they are suggesting criminal tendancies are hereditary, as Hitler was. It seems more related to the current topics regarding father figures or lack of them.. or in this case, quality of them!

Personally I'm against the idea though, unless it is in the form of optional help and councilling, dscretely offered to the child. They certainly shouldn't be "targeted" or "tracked", which would be both stigmatising and descriminating. The crimes of the father should be in no way associated with the child.

It is a known fact that children who grow up in an atmosphere that lacks a father figure are more prone to commit crimes. I believe the UK is only adopting programs, we in the US, have had in place for at least the past decade.