One of the themes percolating through the UK press about the riots in London and elsewhere is a general condemnation of the parents of the "kids" (they don't all look that young to me) who are involved. "WHERE ARE THE PARENTS?"
I mean, I have no idea where they are, but wishing random parents were "better" is like wishing the sky was a more appealing shade of pink. If poor parenting is the issue for whatever reason (including, of course, the difficulties of good parenting under poverty conditions), the appropriate response is...what? Yell at the parents? Lament that they're bad? Kids aren't responsible for their parents, and there aren't obvious policy mechanisms for ensuring good parenting. Though there are some obvious ones for making it easier to be a good parent.
