Don't get me started on todays youths.

I've got four lads myself 17 to 11 and they know how things would be if they stepped out of line.
They have respect for others and their property.

I run my own business and decided 18 months ago to take on an apprentice on a government backed scheme. First lad i got was 17 and in first 4 weeks had 6 days off with every excuse you could think of. Sacked him. He's now serving time for constantly breaking him ASBO conditions which are mainly for druken, abusive and violent behaviour.

Next lad 18 kept him a bit longer and to be honest worked pretty well. Then he asks for a day off to attend court and asked me for a charcater reference to help his case. Then found it was an ASBO hearing for him and his four mates again for drunken abusive behaviour , vandalism etc and police had over 200 'incidents' on file just for him.Apparently they had been terrorising everyone on their estate for years. knew he would be all over local press so sacked him and now work on my own. He is on a 2 year ASBO now. Probably increased his street cred though.

Things i've found out since about this lad are unbelievable. Banned from driving (never had a licence), banned from all his local pubs, off licences,etc

Lesson learnt. Would only employ family or someone i really knew in future.

Where has it all gone wrong? What these kids going to be like in future?