I have lived in the UK for 13+ years. The youth in the UK have precious little to do in terms of constructive time spent outside of school. I used to "sneer" at overzealous "soccer moms" until I realized what the alternative would be for kids who only hung out on street corners be they in villages or in London.

My god kids are lucky to have parents who are active and passionately care about what they do. Otherwise, they could be one of the "YOBs" that the older generation are afraid of in the streets.

There is an "unfriendlyness" to the way adults and youth are expected to relate to each other. It is almost a cultural thing and expected.

Americans are a bit more relaxed about the divides ...

I have lived in the UK for 13+ years. The youth in the UK have precious little to do in terms of constructive time spent outside of school. I used to "sneer" at overzealous "soccer moms" until I realized what the alternative would be for kids who only hung out on street corners be they in villages or in London.

My god kids are lucky to have parents who are active and passionately care about what they do. Otherwise, they could be one of the "YOBs" that the older generation are afraid of in the streets.

There is an "unfriendlyness" to the way adults and youth are expected to relate to each other. It is almost a cultural thing and expected.

Americans are a bit more relaxed about the divides between. For example, skatebooarding, rollerblading, are for kids. Adults are not encouraged to participate.

There is also a cultural divide between youth and anybody over 20 that makes it difficult.

I had a hard time getting anybody to believe that I was a good candidate to apply for certain jobs because I was over 25. I was told so to my face.

I can't believe the numbers of times I was stared at for playing in a snowball fight, rollerblading etc. I was told that these activities were for kids.

I think when you set up stereotypes like this, it creates gaps, not bridge them.
I don't think it has anything to do with rap music. It has to do with how the adults perceive their young.

Just look at this clip if you are in doubt on how the UK think is an acceptable method to relate to their youth.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wiltshire/content/articles/2006/04/04/mosquito_sound_wave_feature.shtml