Yahoo News - I blame the parents...

Measures must be taken to identify problem children from the age of three to stop them becoming the criminals of tomorrow, says David Blunkett.
Mr Blunkett told a parenting conference that the behaviour of children at nursery school should be monitored to spot those who could eventually join gangs and cause misery in their neighbourhoods.
The earlier that unruly youngsters can be spotted, the earlier they can be intervened, said Mr Blunkett.
In his first major speech on the family since becoming the Home Secretary, Mr Blunkett told the ParentChild 2002 conference in Islington, north London, that while governments wanted to avoid "hectoring" parents on how to bring up their children it was crucial to intervene with dysfunctional families.
"The reality is that in many of our housing estates in many of our disadvantaged communities, a handful of those whose lifestyles and behaviour so disrupt the wellbeing of others are creating havoc.
"About half a dozen families may develop a style of behaviour where their children learn to be opinion formers in the gangs that are evident in our streets, where the lack of decent, acceptable role models leads them not to understand the difference between right and wrong."
Sometimes "moderate interventions" had no effect, said Mr Blunkett, implying that stronger measures may be necessary.
He added: "Instead of trying to pick up the pieces when things go wrong it makes a lot more sense to invest resources in prevention."

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002

Answers

"...children at nursery school should be monitored to spot those who could eventually join gangs and cause misery in their neighbourhoods."

Those tell-tale signs in full...

Calling friends 'my niggaz'
Changing the loo signs to 'hommies' and 'hos'
Pushing sherbet dip at the school gates
The headteacher is Mr/Mrs Big
Become adept with a pair of scissors
Practice hostage situations with the school hamster
Sells tickets for kiss chase and threatens the boys "not to be messin' up my girls, y'hear"
Moves quickly from crayons and poster paints to aerosol cans and felt markers
'Tags' their lunchbox
Insists that the school orchestra needs more bass
Lowers the suspension on go-karts

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002

So you've taught in Newbiggin Hall estate too, then?

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002

Nah, but my better half did a stint training at Raby Street School, Byker. On her first day an 8 yr old jumped on his desk, pulled down his pants and cried "Hey, Miss. Look at my hard on!".

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002

Those delightful young scamps...

-- Anonymous, April 18, 2002