What's wrong with you people?

There are around seven million young people in the UK today. We come from different places, with different accents, backgrounds and experiences, yet we are treated as a homogenous group.

We are herded like cattle and lambs into tick box categories, without anyone thinking what that does to our minds, opinions and our confidence.

We're told we're lazy and feckless, yet we're shown off as political trophies at opportune moments when we finally do something people think is worthy of their attention.

We're told we aren't achieving highly enough at school, so we push harder at achieving qualifications we won't even remember we have in ten years, only to have the bar raised higher; then we're lambasted when the pass rate falls. We're told we're stupid for studying 'useless' subjects, yet they continue to be offered while traditional subjects are cut again and again. The media make out that we don't treat teachers with all the respect they deserve, while slagging them off for having long periods of holiday - when you're being pushed and pulled in a million different directions you don't know what piece of coursework you're supposed to be doing next and why you're doing it while you're full to the brim with hormones, you'd be irritated too.

We're looked down upon for being overly sexual and being reckless with our bodies, but sex is used to sell everything from cars to coffee. Girls are told that they dont' respect themselves enough, but our bodies are constantly scrutinised - too fat, too hairy, too pale - and there are adverts for diets and plastic surgery all over prime time television. We're fat and lazy, but our green spaces have been sold off for car parks and McDonalds', while horror stories of paedophiles and kidnappings keep our kids locked to consoles and TVs that portray what it sued to be like to run around free until tea time.

We're told we can be anything, anyone we want, but then we're told we're stupid and useless. We aim for better things only for the system to abandon those who aren't white, academic and non-working class. We're told to celebrate diversity and then the government tries to send people home via a selection of offensive billboard adverts. We aspire to better things but the only way to get there is through unpaid internships - the most moden form of prostitution.

You seek our views and then ignore them as soon as you've had your photo opportunity with the pretty teenager, while trying to remove our right to political protest. You want immigrants to speak English, but cut ESOL privision. You want us to stand on our own two feet, but promote zero-hour contracts that leave us dependent on your state hand outs. You tell us not to become teenage parents - another statistic that leaves you looking bad - yet it's contemplated that we should teach abstinence in schools instead.

We're told to embrace free speech, yet you try to censor the internet and put racist bigots on the news. You tell us to embrace our culture, and then tell us we're all being small minded.

The problem isn't the individual, the young person looking for answers of how to live. The problem is the wealth of conflicted messages that are thrown at us. We're confused, frustrated and pissed off, but then you remember that one day, we'll be supporting you financially. Only then are we suddenly okay again.

Lad Culture

A new report from the National Union of Students has called for universities, students’ unions and the government to recognise the negative effect ‘lad culture’ is having on women in higher education and to fight against it.

Published in March, the ‘That’s What She Said’ report, follows on from the 2010 report, Hidden Marks which produced the shocking statistic that 68% of respondents had been subject to one or more incidents of sexual harassment on campus during their time at university.

Containing analysis of research undertaken through single and group interviews with female students from England and Scotland, the report found laddish behaviour to be a major issue at university, especially the social aspect of it.

Defined as a ‘pack’ mentality, usually residing within groups and fuelled by heavy alcohol consumption, lad culture is predominantly based on the use of sexist, homophobic and misogynistic ‘banter’; it has also been linked to the normalisation of sexual harassment and violence against women.  As a consequence, groping and sexual harassment (both physical and verbal) has been quoted as ‘part of a normal night out’, both within in the report and from Swansea students interviewed.

Some bars and clubs embrace lad culture, using it as part of their marketing techniques to persuade men into bars with the lure of cheap alcohol and sexual activity. In Swansea, this is prevalent across several bars and clubs, with scantily clad women on their promotions material and events such as ‘traffic light parties’ where people are encouraged to highlight their sexual availability. Typically part of lad culture, this stops many women wanting to visit some establishments to avoid it:

Jayde, a 20 year old Osteopathy student said: “I think it’s pretty standard on a night out, even when I’ve been wearing jeans and a normal top I’ve been groped so it’s not like we ‘ask for it’. I get pretty angry sometimes, especially when I tell someone to stop and then they carry on.”

Anna, a student from Health Sciences added: “If I get groped and retaliate, they act like I’m in the wrong! It’s not acceptable but it’s so common I don’t even like going to clubs like Oceana and Revs anymore.”

Finally, Alex Hughes, a second year Social Policy student stated: “I'd say that pretty much every time I go out some guy will either grab or touch me without my consent or say inappropriate things. I agree that it is the boys 18-21 who do it more. Older guys on the whole are more respectful.

“Although creepy guys do annoy me I do think it is important to remember that a lot of guys don't behave like that!”

Despite its prevalence within the social side of university, lad behaviour is also said to be spilling over into the academic. This is prevalent within the negative attitudes towards feminism and other gender-related topics in academia which are not taken seriously by many students. What is surprising is how many students state that they are anti-homophobia and anti-racism, yet participate in bashing these important topics.

The growth in websites such as UniLad, a banter site aimed at students, has meant that this culture has become more widespread as it is celebrated and encouraged by both the website and its readers. With current articles including ‘5 places to have a wee after a night out’ and inviting people to submit their best banter videos, it is clear that people are being encouraged to participate in behaviour that many would find unacceptable.

This also has implications for the private lives of some, with increased pressure to be with only conventionally attractive partners and attain ever higher numbers of sexual partners.

On a more positive note, the report also highlights that not every male is part of this culture, with this behaviour mostly the fault of a minority, albeit one that seems to have a growing dominance over the social side of university.

Adam Halton, a third year Social Policy student said: “Lad culture gives a hideously dim view of male students as sexist meatheads, and harms females by perpetuating misogyny & rape culture.

“In my opinion, it's mostly hollister-wearing misogynists covering for their insecurity about their penis size, height, and intelligence. Frankly, it's the most hideous thing about university since the coalition tripled tuition fees.”

Rob Abrams, a 22 year old Politics and Social Policy student said: “I feel under immense pressure to conform to it. Especially as someone who doesn't especially like drinking.

“Lad culture seems to be, I feel, a product of young men coming to university and leaving home for the first time. They get nervous and try on new tough personas in order to over compensate for their lack of confidence. A lot of people seem to think making friends is all about one upping each other.

However, Josh Osbourne, a 21 year old Business Management student, held an opposing view: “I think university wouldn't be half as much fun if we behaved liked gentlemen, I'm young and foolish, so now is the time to behave accordingly.”

On the topic of peer pressure, he added: “Everyone experiences peer pressure. By now we should all be mature enough to be responsible for our own actions. I don't think we can blame 'lad' culture for the acts of individuals.”

The movement against this behaviour is also growing. The Facebook page, ‘Spotted: Sexism on Campus’, allows students to submit their experiences of misogynistic behaviour at university and shame those responsible for it. Many posts mention sexual harassment on nights out, although some mention more serious cases including a taxi driver who wanted to ‘save a student some money’, suggesting sexual favours instead of payment. Some posts by men also highlight the growing trend of women buying into this culture, stating how they have also been harassed.

Although many think of lad culture as only a bit of banter and a joke, it is clear from many students’ experiences that this is becoming a more serious problem which needs to be recognised and tackled.

Becki Warrilow, Swansea Students’ Union’s Women’s Office said: 

“The report 'That's what she said' highlights important issues and myths surrounding lad-culture. It is a culture adopted by a select portion of both genders, but also affects a larger portion of both genders in negative ways; giving misconception of how men and women are perceived and expected to behave in 

today's student culture.

“Furthermore, it highlights how lad-culture is creating an environment which is conducive to sexual violence and harassment which is a huge cause for concern on all campuses. Zero tolerance plays a big part in counteracting lad-culture, by expanding zero tolerance to halls of residence and hopefully the whole campus we can educate and protect our staff and students from sexual harassment and show them that this behaviour is not common, nor is it accepted.”

2012: an overly sentimental review.

Let me set the scene of this post: it's Christmas Eve, there's 45 minutes to Christmas Day, I'm in a bright green dinosaur onesie and I've spent the day preparing food, baking and hunting for reduced goods at Waitrose. Overall, it's not been a bad one.

As I sit here with a gin and tonic, a cat and a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies - yeah, I'm treating myself, okay? - I realise that I'm getting ridiculously sentimental in my old age, and the fairy lights aren't helping. You can't be bitter when you're surrounded by strings of tiny lights that make you look more attractive than normal, it's just rude.

So as I've been too broke to buy presents this year, I bring you all some happiness and sentimentality in the form of my words. After all, you're all very hard to buy for, and some of you I just didn't want to make the effort for at all.

2012 has been the year that has made me. I've found what I love doing most and managed to bag myself a place on one of the top courses to do it properly - and if I ever end up working for News Corp or the Daily Mail/Express, I want one of you to kill me, okay? - and I've had some amazing experiences while I've discovered it. Yes, student journalism might not be the top flight of fancy that you expect from the media world, but it's some of the most fun I've ever had. Despite the stress, the hard work and the frustration of trying to get a newspaper out every fortnight that doesn't have too many errors or legitimate grounds for civil action, joining The Waterfront has been the best, most rewarding thing I've ever done and I'm incredibly sad that I'm going to be leaving next year. I've been plotting my leaving speech for quite some time now, and I think I've now managed to get it down to 20 minutes with only two offensive jokes.

Technically, this has also been the year where I've had the chance to make a fresh start in terms of dysfunctional relationships. Instead, I chose to develop more of them, so here's a big shout out to every boy who has been a part of it: you've taught me the true value of cats, gin and watching Bridget Jones' Diary on repeat until I can recite it word for word. However, there's a lot to be said for but not having to shave my legs for a month and wearing my comfortable, boring knickers because no one will be seeing them. This is of course before I see a romantic couple and I remember that love is a sham sold to you by card companies. Oh boy, I do hope that 2013 is the year where I'm whisked off my feet by an incredibly strong, short sighted man who doesn't mind cats and my disgustingly black humour! (I like biscuits and being sent flowers. Preferably lilies).

It's also been the year where I've had to deal with losing someone incredibly close to me who I miss constantly and I wish was still here every day. It's been a shock to the system, but I've gotten through it with the support of a lot of other people around me and I can't really thank you all enough for that.

Essentially, this has been the year where I've learnt who my true friends are; some of which has been another surprise. There are people who I thought would be here for years to come, yet have seemingly disappeared. I could be sad about it, but in a way, it's just taught me the lesson that sometimes things change despite you not wanting them to. It's also taught me that one or two people are owed some bad karma very soon :)

This may have been the strangest year I've ever had. It's been punctuated with good bits like meeting people I'm going to cling to forever, formulating my escape plan back to England, and meeting Derek the weatherman from BBC1. It's also had the occasional bad bit, highlights being people being sucky, basically being bankrupt, and one day on the walk to uni my tights fell off, which meant I probably flashed about six people, I'm glad that I've actually gotten through it without going too crazy.

So in short, this is a big thank you to a lot of people for helping and supporting me, whether it be through the medium of listening, getting me drunk or just telling me to shut up at the appropriate moment. I can only hope that 2013 is going to be as bizarre as 2012; although preferably with less death and shitty people :)

It's been a long time...

I know, the gaps between my posts are getting bigger and bigger, and it's all thanks to my dissertation. However, I'm cutting down on my extra-curricular activities, so I might actually get around to writing more often.

It's just as well, really, seeing as this week I got offered a place on my dream NCTJ diploma course in Manchester. Not only is it one of the best in the country, but it's only three minutes walk away from a Gregg's. It's the DREAM. Not only am I finally going to be able to fulfill this journalism dream of mine, I'm going to be able to do it with the aid of steak bakes and toffee apple slices. Paradise.

Anyway, here's a brief mention of everything I've found interesting lately. I'll be writing one of my usual posts soon enough, probably whinging on like the lefty tree hugger I am about the nasty Tories or the price of bread or unemployment figures or something.

Do your research and stop hating on the poor:
Did you know that the vast majority of those who claim Housing Benefit are actually employed? These people are part of the 'working poor': people who are in low-paid employment, struggling to make ends meet, usually entitled to in-work benefits, and most probably reliant upon them to exist.

I'm getting incredibly tired of hearing people go on about those living in homes 'that they would never be able to afford myself'. Moving people from more affluent areas to others due to the housing benefit caps is not a wise tactic, it is tantamount to cleansing our cities of poor people. Those in favour are incredibly short sighted, and I can't wait to see how they cope when there are no longer people able to make the commute to their low paid, menial jobs in the places that they used to live.

Regulating the press is not a good idea:
Let's me try and get it into your heads: everything that has been investigated by the Leveson enquiry was illegal, and those involved within it will be brought to justice, if they haven't already. No press watchdog is going to make it more illegal, it's just going to make it incredibly difficult for a free press to exist in Britain.
As it stands, it can actually be quite difficult to make sure a piece of work is legal and fit for press. Even within student media, there are hoops and rings of fire to jump through before we can go to press on even the most banal of stories.

What we actually need is a stronger union, and a conscience clause within it that will allow journalists to whistle blow any editor who demands we do something we don't want to do. Currently, doing that will just about land you on a 1940s-esque McCarthy list.

Forgetting the fact that victims are not the people to be making the regulations in the first place, further press regulation will only suffocate us. People fought for the right to a free press and free speech, don't let 2013 be the year that it dissolved.

It is not Christmas just because the Coca-Cola advert is on television:
Come on, people. Think with your heads, not with your wallet. Christmas is a time for being disappointed with the lack of snow and eating until you think you might be sick, but eating a little bit more anyway. Also, if I see the ASDA 'there's a mum behind Christmas' advert one more time, I'm going to write them an angry letter about the diversity of the modern family unit.

A normal service will resume just as soon as I've enough time to stop worrying about my essays and the fact that I need to find somewhere to live in Manchester.

Until then, go forth, question everything you see, and remember this fact: bumblebees refuse to go out in the rain because if they get wet, they're too heavy to fly. Poor little soggy bumblebees.

Housing: the Tories shoot themselves in the foot.

I'd like to start this blog with an apology for having not written in so long. The start back at university has been harder than I thought it would be, and the newspaper is slowly taking over my entire life, although I'm absolutely loving it. I'm going to be easing myself back into it now between my dissertation and sleeping, so you'll hopefully be hearing a lot more of my opinionated rants.

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I don't know if I've ever made it quite clear in my previous posts, but I'm really not the biggest fan of the present government. I don't enjoy the cuts in spending affecting our frontline services to the extent that now even the Police wouldn't recommend themselves (you can read the story here), the removal of benefits from those who need them most (link here) and the withdrawal of housing benefit for those aged under 25, and overall, their pig-headed attitude. It's hurting, but it's not necessarily working - yes, I admit that we are technically out of recession, but remember, dead cats bounce, too. I wouldn't be surprised if we slip back into negative growth while we don't have the Olympics to help us.

The proposed capping of housing benefit also begs to be believed (links here and here). Yes, I understand the main argument that benefit claimants living in houses far more expensive than others in work could ever dream to afford is unfair, but there are several points that should be addressed.

Firstly, the majority of those on housing benefit are employed, but on low incomes that make them eligible for the benefit (a guide to housing benefit entitlement). Under the new rules, 70% of rented accommodation will cost more than the housing benefit payments people receive. If you're working 40 hours a week on the national minimum wage, finding the extra money that you need to pay the rent may mean the difference between surviving and going under. With the dearth of good quality, affordable housing in this country, moving somewhere smaller isn't necessarily an option, especially if you need to be in a certain area for working, education, or family committments.

 Whilst we're here, I'd like to try and clear something up. Benefits are not an opportunity to live in luxury. Yes, there are some people who abuse the system. There are people who appear to be living the good life while doing absolutely bugger all for it, but the vast majority of the time, it isn't like that.

People don't seem to understand that many people are only entitled to Job Seeker's Allowance - which gives you the sum of up to £71 per person, per week. (Proof is here)If you're one of the victims of the recession who became redundant then chances are that's a massive drop in income for you, and you probably won't be eligible for any other assistance. So please, before you complain about benefits, please consider what people are actually entitled to, and don't just look at the media hype.

Getting back on topic... It is with great interest today that I read some local authorities in London will be sending their homeless families away from the capital, despite rules stating that they should aim to house them locally. (The Guardian) (Wales Online).

Why are they doing this? Essentially, there are not enough homes that are suitable for families, and that fall within the housing benefit cap within the capital. With how unpopular this policy is bound to be, and with Boris Johnson already having likened it to ethnic cleansing, it would appear that the Tories are about to have a gaping bullet wound in their foot.

Forgetting for a moment the impact that this policy will have upon those families forced to move, the areas that they will be moved to will also suffer. One of the places mentioned in the plans is Merthyr Tydfil, a place already reknowned for its economic disadvantage and high rates of long-term unemployment. Housing may be cheaper, but there are no advantages to moving people here, especially as Wales struggles with meeting its own housing needs at present.

So what can be done about this problem? Well, perhaps we should look back to the time in the  when Britain had an extensive policy of rent controls in the 1940s and 50s, meaning that housing was affordable for all. We need to reinvest in building social housing, creating jobs and homes, as well as boosting the economy. The national mindset of owning our homes needs to change, too, although I accept that this won't be possible until there are viable alternatives to mortgaging yourself to the eyeballs for your entire working life in order to have a secure tenure.

I know that creating extensive housing policy has never been one the strong point of any Conservative government, but I think it's about time they woke up and realised the amount of flak they're about to come in for.

Families are not homeless through fault of their own, it is often poorly thought out policy that's to blame, so why make them suffer even more?

Surviving Your First Year: 8 Golden Rules I Learned The Hard Way

OH, you freshers, with your shiny new student accounts and enthusiasm, eager to experience all that university can throw at you.


For many of you, this is the first time away from home. You’re anxious to assert your independence, and mostly this will come in the form of consuming far too much exotic-looking alcohol and being in pictures that you definitely won’t want your parents to see.

Now, I’ve been a fresher twice – yes, I made a Poor Life Choice (hereby known as a PLC) when I first applied to Portsmouth University, but I made up for it tenfold by switching to Swansea as soon as I could. So it is with my wisdom and experience of making some serious PLCs that I am here to guide you through the next year. I want you all to make a point of learning from my mistakes. Alternatively, you could make some even bigger ones so that mine look good in comparison.

1. Firstly, do not attach yourself to someone within the first week of university. You’re here for three years, and they won’t seem half as attractive within six months. Don’t rush; you’ve plenty of time to find someone your parents will hate.

2. Secondly, your student loan is finite. I know, it’s a horrible realisation. You also have to be aware of your priorities: first comes your rent and bills, second to that is food, and then it’s important things like books and shoes that will see you through the winter. Only when you have managed to negotiate these hurdles is it appropriate to spend the rest of your loan on new clothes and alcohol. You will soon learn to budget and shop around – for example, buy fresh food in the market where you only buy as much as you need for cheaper, and then go to JC’s for a pint rather than one of Wind Street’s fine establishments. If you can, try and save yourself some money for over the holidays – right now, it is the end of August, and I am sat here with precisely £9.86 to my name, with three weeks to go until pay day. Remember what I said – learn from my mistakes.

3. Pace yourself. In small to medium doses, alcohol is not necessarily that bad for you – although what is said for your body is not necessarily true for your wallet. However, getting completely obliterated four times a week is bad for you, and you will do well to avoid doing so, else you will be making a PLC. I conducted a personal study this year by getting drunk very regularly for a fortnight. My body held a small demonstration, and I was unable to eat properly for a month. I felt disgusting, looked awful, and my mum was furious, but my housemates were overjoyed by how much food I gave to them – every cloud has a silver lining, I guess.

4. Fourth, eat properly. Please don’t make a point of eating only potato smileys and turkey dinosaurs for every meal just because you can. Eventually, you are going to get sick of beige-coloured food, and you will want some vegetables. Beat your body shutting down on you by learning how to cook. Waterstones in the Taliesin sell some basic student cook books that are brilliant for learning the staples of home cooking, and if you can’t be bothered to buy them, you can just take pictures of the recipes on your iPhone.

5. For this one, make sure your parents are out of the room… Gone? Excellent. Boys and girls, you may have heard of sex. You may have heard that university is a brilliant place to obtain it. Let me tell you, Swansea may have gone up in the University Sex League (up to 12th place, from last year’s 60, woo!), but university is not one massive orgy. Or at least, if it is, I’ve not been invited. Anyway, if you are going to do it, your Students’ Union provides thousands of free condoms per year. Make use of them – and not for balloon animals. Also, make sure that you have enough money the next morning for the taxi of disgrace, rather than having to humiliate yourself with the walk of shame. Alternatively, if you’ve awoken being able to remember their name, you are entitled to take the stride of pride. Congratulations.

6. Join a society. I really, really wish I’d done this in my first year. Since joining The Waterfront – not technically a society, but you know what I mean – I have had the best time at university. I’ve met friends for life, learnt new skills, discovered what I want to be when I grow up, and had some awesome experiences. No matter what you’re interested in, you’ll find a society for it, and if you can’t, don’t be afraid to form your own.

7. Do some work – everyone knows the freshers’ mantra of ‘f**k it, 40 percent’, but organising yourself to do some work from the off is a really good habit to form, and it looks a lot better on your transcript. Learn to organise yourself so that you’re not working right up until the deadline, too. There’s nothing worse than sleeping through the hand-in deadline and waking up to your face in your keyboard, smothered in drool.

8. Perhaps the best and most useful piece of advice I can give you is to enjoy yourself. Don’t forget that you’re here to work, but university is also about a whole new lifestyle and learning about yourself and the world around you. Forget school being the best days of your life – your time at Swansea will definitely beat it.

Nothing to see here: the baby boomers and unemployment.

There is no escaping the fact that as a country we are going through one of the worst recessions in history and it is the general population who are paying for it, whether it be through increased food and petrol prices or unemployment. 

It is practically impossible to get through the day recently without a new statistic on the latest unemployment figures in Britain. The majority of these statistics relate to the working-age population as a whole, but there is also a large focus put onto those aged 16-25.

Unemployed persons of the 16-25 age range are now fashionably referred to as NEETS – not in education, employment or training. This is also the group of people who are said to be most affected by being unemployed for long periods of time – with the lack of opportunities available presently, this could be a ‘lost generation’, a whole group of people who won’t be able to access the education and training their parents did. This isn’t due to their incompetence or their lack of will, it is purely because they have had the opportunities that previous generations have had taken away from them. Whether it’s the cutting of EMA, the trebling of university fees, or the cuts in the numbers of apprenticeships on offer, young people are feeling the effects of recession and will continue to do so for much longer than many other groups in society.

The plight of Britain’s young people is one that deserves to be recognised, but I do feel that there is another section of society that is being ignored. This group is made up of those people who are towards the older end of the working age scale, but who still have a few years to go until they are able to be officially recognised as retired. Generally, they are 50 or older; part of the baby boom generation.

When searching for the breakdown of Britain’s unemployment statistics, they tend to be split into two groups – those aged 16-25, and those aged 25 to retirement, sometimes classed as ‘older workers’. Although it is fairly difficult to find more specific figures, there are some available for those who look hard enough. This is particularly galling when you realise that the USA keeps fantastic statistics on this area - breaking down the figures into much smaller age ranges - which are much easier to find.

What is clear from the figures that I have been able to find, is that it is those aged over 50 who are being hit hard and finding it far harder to recover. 

On average, those from this age range who find themselves unemployed are the least likely to find work again; even during good economic times. For example, in the third quartile of 2004, 50.1% of those aged 50 and over found employment again within three months. Within the first half of this year, this figure had been halved to 25.6%. It is also this group which is the second most likely to be made redundant, after the 16-25s.

Clearly, some of these figures will not be completely accurate – there are always some that fall between the cracks, and as a larger percentage of the population this group is always going to be slightly more affected than others – but these are still alarming.

So what does this mean in reality for those people who are caught in this trap? 

The majority of these will have been working for the past 30-40 years. Many will own their own homes or be coming to the end of their mortgage. For those who have still not finished their payments, they may lose their homes, just as they thought they would be reclaiming them from the banks and building societies.

Although some will be lucky enough for their children to be independent at this stage, there will be some whom still have them living at home and dependent upon them. For the latter group, this will have an impact on their children, too, who will soon learn the uncomfortable truths of recession.

Losing employment at any stage of life is a difficult thing to overcome but after potentially decades in the same industry which may have gone into decline it can be even more difficult. Although there are schemes available to help people retrain to find jobs in alternative areas, these are often difficult to obtain help from.

As a society, we are obsessed with youth. Everyone wants to look younger, feel younger, do everything that young people do. Despite so many new laws implemented to address the issues of age discrimination, we tend to shun the positive aspects of being more experienced in life. These people often have a wealth of knowledge that can be shared with the rest of their organisations to enhance both them, and society as a whole.

As our population ages, this problem will only become more acute. Not only will we lose more of our older workers, there will be less of them available to train and support the next generation.  

It is important that we do not lose sight of this group of people, when so many people seem to be turning their attention elsewhere.We need to stop prioritising youth over experience and knowledge.