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Bring Back National Service to Tackle Anti-social Behaviour Say Over 60s 

The re-introduction of national service would have a real impact on levels of anti-social behaviour in the UK, according to a new think tank of people over the age of 60. The new panel, called Viewpoint 60+, was set up by retirement living specialists McCarthy & Stone and asked over 1000 people of retirement age for their views on modern society and our changing lifestyles.

Nine out of 10 Viewpoint 60+ respondents said they thought that levels of anti-social behaviour in the UK are higher now than when they were in their 20s. When asked what measures would have a real impact in addressing anti-social behaviour, a huge 40% called for the reintroduction of national service and the same number believed more severe punishment should be dished out to offenders. Other popular measures included more facilities for young people (36%), community service as part of the school curriculum (27%) and compulsory parenting courses (23%).

34% blamed the breakdown of the traditional family for the rise in anti-social behaviour and nearly a quarter thought poor parenting was a key factor. One in ten also thought that a general lack of respect amongst young people contributed to the problem.

In a shocking insight into how older people feel they are viewed by society today, 70% believed older people are valued ‘only a little’ or ‘not at all’ and only 3% believed their generation was ‘valued a great deal’.

The majority of the Viewpoint 60+ panel (70%) thought that life was more difficult for young people today compared to the experiences they had when they were growing up. 98% thought it was easier for young people to get into debt due to the availability of credit and changes in attitudes. 67% believed that the relative cost of living was higher and 82% recognised that it was harder for young people to get on the property ladder. Just over half of respondents (57%) believed that young people have less of a work life balance and 84% thought women were under more pressure to ‘have it all’ by combining a career with running the family home. However, 65% believed that there were considerably more career opportunities for young people today.    

Panel members were also asked to compare their own health and lifestyle today with that of their parents at the same age. 88% said they thought they were more physically active and 70% felt there were in better health. 68% thought they were more financially secure, two thirds thought they had a better social life and 73% said they had more hobbies and interests.

But less than half felt that they had a closer relationship with their families and only 34% said they were more involved in bringing up their grandchildren than their parents were.

Howard Phillips, chief executive of McCarthy & Stone, comments: “People of retirement age now account for around one in five of the UK population and it’s vital that they are given a voice.

The results of our first Viewpoint 60+ survey revealed some interesting views on how anti-social behaviour should be tackled. It was also interesting that not only did the panel feel that life was easier for them when they were growing up, but they also believed they enjoyed better health and quality of life now than their parents did at the same age, so maybe it is true that baby boomers are the golden generation!”