Joe McHugh (Fine Gael)

A report was published today by the National Youth Council of Ireland, in conjunction with the Equality Authority, on inequalities relating to the stereotyping of young people. Among the issues which emerged was that young people believe their stereotyping by adults is as unequal as it ever was. There were concerns that the media stereotypes young people into categories related to crime, deviance, delinquency, drug and alcohol problems, sexual promiscuity and general disorderliness. The research also indicated that politicians are dismissive of young people and add fuel to the fire of media stereotyping. A vacuum exists which we, as elected politicians, need to fill. Vibrant, independent and strong-minded young characters feel they are not being represented, for which we are all to blame.