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Increasingly the anti-social behaviour of young people is in the media and the blame game between parents and the ‘nanny’ state continues to be played out on the front page of every newspaper. Part of me thinks that things must be getting worse – an 11 year old boy being shot playing football; teenagers knifed for gang affiliations or to steal the latest in branded goods can’t be acceptable – it fills me with moral outrage and I turn into one of those people who says “and where were their parents?” But if you do blame them how many generations do you go back before you find the route of the bad behaviour. Take the omnipresent media out of the equation and think about it… If the parents are not controlling their kids and teaching them right from wrong – who taught them? If their own parents or carers didn’t instil the basics how can they be expected to be perfect parents? (Don’t get me started on the ‘perfect’ definition!) And so on back through the generations. Even the Romans had problems with youth identity and street gangs and theirs was supposed to be one of the great ‘civilisations’ in human history. In my view there may be no solution to anti-social behaviour at all, despite brave and well meaning attempts to do so.

This is a weighty and complex issue (too weighty to tease out in one sitting) and my mind wanders back to the microcosm – The Museum of Childhood – and has behaviour deteriorated in the museum. Well, ‘yes’ and ‘no’. We have increased interactivity and therefore the fun factor – sometimes play gets a little robust! On the other side the majority of our visitors treat us a special place – a part of their community and the highlight of the week.

We have lots of discussions about improving the behaviour of children in the museum and I have to say that most are wonderful, polite, happy, sharing, talented and fun to have around – but like society there are exceptions – the snatcher; the pusher; the pincher etc we have seen them all but to continue my parental theme, I thought I would share some of their behaviour with you. You may think their actions insignificant or you may share my incredulity, but here goes? 

We have 2 beautiful rocking horses (one small, one large), both for children to ride. They have been a successful part of the museum for the last 15years or so. Last weekend a Dad jumped on the smallest horse and rocked it violently until it broke. This was spotted by our security team but by the time they got to the horses the man and his family had left the museum. I can forgive a bit of youthful enthusiasm but in my view not to take responsibility for his actions in front of his kids meant he set the worst example for his children to follow in future life. 

To the Mums who don’t use our baby change facilities and change their babies on the sofas in the Galleries, please show us some respect by not leaving the dirty nappy and wipes for us to clean up! 

To the Dad who thought it was a good idea to encourage a child to stand on a radiator and a windowsill to climb on a play set with a sign saying ‘please do not climb’ on and then tried to make it our fault when he fell – what were you thinking? 

To the mother who held the hand of her daughter whilst she walked around the outside of the safety railings, 5ft above a solid marble floor – does you daughter walk across your mantelpiece at home?
And for me… on certain days I DO blame the parents!