Aberavon MP Backs Young People
17th August 2007
Aberavon MP, Dr Hywel Francis, is supporting young people in Aberavon by highlighting the concerns of the majority of young adults in the UK who dismiss negative stereotypes and the lack of recognition for the positive things they do.
Dr Francis has signed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons challenging the negative representations of young people as 'yobs' and 'hoodies', calling for recognition for the positive contributions they make, and committing MPs to ensuring that young people's views are represented.
The EDM - which marks the first birthday of a YouthNet and British Youth Council campaign called Respect? - applauds the work of the two national charities whose report 'The Voice Behind the Hood' revealed that over 80% of young people believe that the way they are portrayed leads to older people respecting them less.
Dr Francis said,
"Many young people in Aberavon feel that they are unfairly represented in the media as an 'ASBO generation' when in reality this represents only a small fraction of young people. The vast majority of young people make a valuable contribution to their community which deserves to be recognised and respected."
