I READ every week about misbehaving teenagers and the fears of older people, but we must remember that these kids have been brought up in a very different political world to us.

When I was a child in the 1970s people were less materialistic and the future seemed bright.

Today children are surrounded by images of intolerance and injustice. The lucky ones are sheltered by loving parents and family, but not all receive this protection.

How can we expect the youth and future of this country to have faith in a political system that persuades us to discriminate against every child who wears a hooded top or a baseball cap?

My own son, who is a university student, was asked to leave a shop simply because he was wearing one of these comfortable and practical sweaters.

As most of these kids are not yet old enough to vote, the adults must take up the challenge, and through the power of democracy try to make Britain a fairer place to live.

This may, of course, be just a pipe dream, but I feel sure the youngsters would have more respect for adults who were prepared to fight to give their children a better country to live in.

Name and address withheld.