http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/artic...-2002Apr10.html

>>
A Course Without Credit: Hooliganism 101

By Sally Jenkins
Thursday, April 11, 2002; Page D01

No one is more sympathetic toward criminality in undergraduates than me, seeing as how much of my own behavior comes perilously close to theirs. That said, even in my most youthfully exuberant and egregiously over-served moment, it never once occurred to me to set fire to a kiosk with a Zippo. Some hated textbooks, yes, and a mattress once. But a kiosk, never. What is that about?
....
In order to curb destructive behavior by students, first we have to figure out what's in the cocktail that is producing it. The answer is, liquor mixed with permission. In an essay entitled "Understanding Riots," two Northwestern University law professors, David Haddock and Daniel Polsby, set out to more fully explain what causes a mob action.
....
Their nominal excuse is their fan-passion. But it's a bogus one. As author Bill Buford discovered, after studying British soccer hooligans for his book "Among the Thugs," many rioters barely watched the games, and were more interested in the postgame events.

There is a subtle kind of permission at work in the student riots. First, the undergrads award themselves the liberty of acting out in the name of fan enthusiasm. Moreover, they tend to believe that they are apart from the law, enjoying the last of their childhood immunity from prosecution. Attorney Luis Bartolomei, who is advising some of the Minnesota students who were arrested, is lobbying for lesser charges because, he said, "a felony might make them virtually unemployable. So what's the use of coming to college?" In other words, college kids are entitled to leniency, no matter what, because they are in college instead of the real world?
....
The law professors suggest "two things have to happen to discourage them or stop them early before they get started: either the probability of catching the offender has to be visibly increased, or the consequences to the offender if he gets caught have to be tangibly enhanced."

In other words, the next time college kids ruin someone's store or put someone's eye out, throw them in the slammer. Prosecute them to the full extent of the law.

If they wind up cleaning grease traps at the local McDonald's, so be it.

© 2002 The Washington Post Company
<<