Street violence

Have you noticed how often young guys appearing in court on assault charges are still living at home?

It usually comes out when they are up for sentencing and their lawyer tries to convince the judge to go easy on them.

But I wonder if living at home is a big part of the problem rather than a sign they will be unlikely to offend again.

Drink - and bar hopping - are usually behind the assault.

But rather than indicating young people are becoming more unruly, the rise in street violence is a reflection of rising housing costs and rents.

Getting drunk costs money, and so does paying cover charges in a string of bars, money young guys could not afford if they had a mortgage or were paying rent.

I wonder how many of them have money for grog because they are sponging on their parents.

A generation ago when houses were more affordable young people saved to buy a home of their own.

Most moved out of home into a place of their own as soon as they got a full time job.

Living with their parents too long stunts their maturity and leaves them with money to waste.

And we all have to live with the consequences.