Lack of male role models leading to a 'Jeremy Kyle' future

Published on Monday 11 February 2008 21:37

THE tales of woe on The Jeremy Kyle Show have ranged from "Why has my dad never been there for me?" to "Son, you need to forgive me for putting you in care".

But now the Conservatives have suggested a lack of male role models – highlighted daily on the ITV morning show – has left Britain with a "Jeremy Kyle generation" of unemployed, welfare-dependent, drug-dealing men.

Chris Grayling, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said the government had been "morally negligent to abandon so many young men".

Scottish youth workers said more male volunteers and teachers were needed to help redress the balance, while psychologists urged men to take more responsibility for themselves.

Mr Grayling told an audience at the Demos think-tank that young men were growing up in Britain without social skills, a sense of purpose or responsibility, or the self-confidence to make the most of their opportunities.

He said: "In too many communities, we have a Jeremy Kyle generation of young men reaching adult life ill-equipped for it."

Phillip Hodson, a media psychologist and fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, said men were failing and their role models were dying out.