‘Many parents not doing their job'

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32706, 8 September 1971, Page 15

‘Many parents not doing their job '

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, September 7.

Many parents were not doing their job in educating and preparing their children for adulthood, the head of the police in Auckland, Assistant Commissioner G. S. Austing, said yesterday.

Speaking at a long-service medal presentation at the Central Police Station, he said it remained for parents, especially those of children aged between 12 and 16, to find out what young people were doing in the evenings. “It is astounding how many young people are now getting into trouble,” he said. “There are children of 13, 14 and 15 who are burglars, and bad burglars too. Something is wrong with society when we have this element with us.” "Basically, the control of youth, its guidance and regulation is in the hands of parents, and I must say I fear many parents are not doing their job in educating and preparing children for adulthood.”

Mr Austing said there

seemed to be a lack of respect for other people’s feelings among some young people. Boredom seemed to be one of the attributes of the young offenders. They seemed to want to do nothing but get out on the streets, interfering with other people's pleasures. “This is deplorable,” he said, “and something will have to be done to see they cannot carry on in this way.” Mr Austing said the public could help with disorder problems by letting the police know when congregations of youths in cars or on motorcycles were noticed.