Society not to blame for youth crime?

There is an old African proverb that says it takes a village to raise a child. While I agree that parents and family have the primary responsibility to raise good children, each of us plays a part in every child's life. We need to take responsibility for that. After all, it is the adults who police their streets, write their laws, teach their lessons, care for their health, monitor the quality of their food, air and water, produce television programs, newspapers, magazines and music.
Everywhere we look children are exposed to violence, poverty, neglect, family break up, temptations of alcohol, tobacco, sex, drug abuse, greed, materialism, peer pressure, and spiritual emptiness. Against this bleak backdrop stands the families of children who are not immune to the influences of our modern society, and who may lack the skills and resources to be the parents we want them to be.
It is the environment of a child that contributes to the development of their character. Children will thrive only if their families thrive and if their community cares enough to provide for them. This calls for caring neighbours, attentive doctors, unburdened social workers, innovative public schools, keen teachers, supportive coaches, hands on ministers, creative bureaucrats, enlightened politicians, fair legislators, informed voters, safe streets, and an economy that supports a decent and dignified standard of living for every person.
Each of us directly or indirectly has an influence on the life of children who are not our own. Society is ultimately to blame for our wayward youth. If we all work together to bring them up then maybe we won't have to take them down with a baseball bat.