While recently in England, I visited a friend, who told me a most extraordinary story. Walking home from the nearby shops, she was accosted by two children who asked if they could take her photograph. She said no, but they persisted. Eventually, she acquiesced somewhat reluctantly, whereupon the one slapped her through the face while the other caught her shocked and furious expression on a camera phone. They then both bolted off laughing like loons, leaving my friend unable to pursue them, as she was weighed down with heavy shopping bags.
Like reverse vampires, they prowl the streets, targeting hapless citizens during sunlight hours, feeding off their chagrin or fury.
Georgina Guedes, editor, ITWeb Brainstorm
She reported the incident to the police, who in England really do care, and then went home to do some Internet research, to discover what latest youth craze she had been caught up in.
Apparently it`s called 'Happy Slapping` and the photograph of her truly shocked visage will be shared with friends around the school playground.
When I heard this story, and thought it might be something interesting to write about, I was initially reluctant to publicise it because I was concerned it might kick-start a similar craze in SA. But when I thought about it, I realised that for the most part South African children don`t behave like such atrocious little bruisers.
When I thought about it a little longer, I decided the reason that this sort of behaviour is so prevalent in England is that children are allowed to wander the streets unsupervised for most of their days because it`s fairly safe to do so, and because they can get themselves from A to B without the necessary intervention of an adult.
This has resulted in a Lord of the Flies type of scenario in which young children govern themselves during the daytime. Like reverse vampires, they prowl the streets, targeting hapless citizens during sunlight hours, feeding off their chagrin or fury. In South African cities, children aren`t left to their own devices like this. Even those with working parents are either left at after-school care or delivered to their homes by lift club parents. They are seldom given the opportunity to wander the unsafe streets alone and get themselves into all sorts of trouble.
The lack of public transport is oft bemoaned as one of our country`s major failings, but I think the dangers of the alternative can`t be overlooked.
I also had the chance to see a mugging while I was in England - the first I have witnessed. If the crumby weather and cramped living are supposed to be the sacrifices South African emigrants make to live in crime-free England, I`m not that impressed with the results.
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