I agree with Aaron to a certain extent. However, as a 22yo, in steady work, I find it easy to move away from the stereo-typoical night out. I think self-control is a big thing for young people and they'd rather be seen as cool, out with their mates getting trashed. I am within the age group to be young and stupid at the moment, but, like myself, there are many young adults my age that are just as happy, even more-so, to stay at home and drink in a safe environment. And for the occasions where I do go out, I know when to stop. This is an issue of image and self-control, which, like Aaron says, stems from upbringing. Young people just need to learn that there are better things they could be doing.. so Bendigo... show us your better things?

I agree with Aaron James, having a drink is fine if you know when to stop, there is nothing better than a good social drink at a bbq in summer, but alas Aaron W you cant always blame the parents, have you considered the fact that parents are not allowed to smack their children now, all our rights as parents has been taken away from us, and this is why the youth of today have run wild, also consider the fact that when they do get into serious trouble they only get a slap on the wrist from the courts, this does not deter bad behavior it promotes it saying i can do anything and get away with it, do not be so quick to judge the parents in all cases

The general public by and large should be careful not to judge our youth of today on the actions of a minority. Unfortunately there has been a decline in moral and behavioural standards, to varying degrees, over the past two to three Australian generations. But to 'baby boomers' - those born soon after WW2, (I am one) -who may be tut tutting about the current situation - I say, 'think back'. Were we perfect in our youth? Also, as many of us became parents - if we failed to educate our children in regards to responsibility, then it is no wonder they too may have failed to educate theirs. Aaron Walshe, makes some valid points.

All three comments make some valid points but in my view all schools should have ethics and philosophy on the curriculem, from grade 1. The baby boom generation quickly evolved into a have now pay later society. We concentrated more on the have than on the need. We committed to more and more debt, needing both parents to work to serve it. Consequently, we outsourced the children into childcare, having little time left for genuine interaction. So we invented quality time, thinking that quality can be bought. We forgot that the real quality time was the time we used to spend with children, time now taken up by working in order to pay someone else to do it. Our schools and universities have become commercial entities, narrowly focussed and no longer teaching to think. Yet, the ability to think and reason is even more required now than in the past era, to make the right choices in a world flooded with choices. This is the world of desensitisation to violence and catastrophy. Where we observe the misery of millions with just a passing glance, just a repeat of other miseries.