Letter: Deaths spark moral debate
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: I write in response to Julia Draper's letter (19 February). I had a relatively similar upbringing to the one she is proposing for her children, but now at the age of 16, I want to do different things. The novelty of engaging in wholesome activities soon wears off once friends suggest something better. Peer pressure is not to be ignored: the young and impressionable are not necessarily those who have had an 'unstable' childhood.
Life can be very confusing for a teenager: the unity of doing what other friends are doing can give a sense of identity which we all need, coupled with the excitement of doing something forbidden. I am not trying to excuse the increase in juvenile crime, merely pointing out that so much of what we do depends on circumstance and the opportunities that are available to us.
Yours sincerely,
ELIZABETH NIGHTINGALE
Sheriff Hutton,
North Yorkshire
19 February
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments