I WRITE in response to A Trevor's letter, not so much regarding his fears for the future of Poulton (a couple of clubs does not a Gomorrah make), but rather to counter his crude and offensive slur against the entire younger generation.
The excesses which Mr Trevor condemns remain the actions of a minority, just as the drug-addled, anarchic excesses of his own generation hardly reflected the majority experience.
I therefore wonder in which bizarre enclave of leafy, sedate Poulton Mr Trevor lives, for him not to have encountered a single, educated, responsible young person. Ours is the generation which spearheaded the demonstrations against the ill-justified wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
It is our graduates who are increasingly choosing careers in the poorer-paid public sector, from a sense of social responsibility.
Unfortunately, it is also our generation which has turned its back on the polling booth.
This is not, as Mr Trevor implies, because of self-absorption or a reluctance to tear ourselves away from bedroom activities (since we are, of course, entirely 'sexually orientated/motivated!', Mr Trevor).
Instead, this reflects a general sense of disillusionment with the current state of politics, in which our very real concerns regarding international war, globalisation and, yes, free higher education are barely acknowledged.
As in every generation, there are those young people to whom Mr Trevor's condemnations apply.
The vast majority of today's youth, however, will develop into responsible citizens, who will obtain good jobs and set up stable homes with long-term partners, as young people have done in every generation.
I acknowledge Mr Trevor's right to disapprove of the sexual freedom which his generation gained for us, even though the 'fornication and adultery' which he deplores have been constants in human history (try reading Tom Jones, Mr Trevor).
In attempting to prevent young people from enjoying a well-earned break after a hard week's work because of the excesses of a minority, however, Mr Trevor allows his ignorance too free a rein.
After all, it's our taxes which will pay the pensions of his generation.
Jennifer Carpenter, Ramshill Avenue, Carleton, Blackpool
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