WAYWARD youths with meaningless existences need our support more than ever, according to the self-confessed “patron saint of the unloved and unlovely”, Father Bob Maguire.
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The tireless social justice campaigner this week told the Bendigo Advertiser a new brand of communitarianism was required to not only support society’s disaffected youngsters, but bring residents together as a community.
“This is a big chance for people to start government of a civil society from the grass routes up,” he said.
“It’s going to extend them because they’re going to have to get out of their comfort zone and meet people.”
Unemployment and drug use, a problem commonplace in regional areas, were intertwined according to Fr Bob.
“The main symptoms of community collapse disorder is gangs of teenagers wandering around,” he said.
“A young male with a meaningless existence won’t accept that, he will fight that, and will join up with other males and unfortunately take up illegal practices.
“Boredom is the worst enemy in Western society.”
A lot of youngsters would work if they could, according to Fr Bob.
“Some parents are waking up the the fact their kids can’t get off their backsides and do something because their isn’t anything available to do,” he said.
“In the old days there was plenty of work around the place.”
Bendigo’s unemployment rate remains below the regional Victoria average.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the unemployment rate was 5.75 per cent in the September quarter last year.
The rate was almost identical to the Victorian and Australian average.
On Bendigo’s apparent problem with drugs, Fr Bob was forthright.
“Supply of drugs isn’t the problem – it’s the demand,” he said.
“Why do so many young people set out to become intoxicated with drink or drugs and the answer is boredom.
“If there’s no meaning people will crack up.
“You will have people dying of quiet desperation in the regional area of Bendigo.”
