WHAT IS THE DEATH CYCLE

In this article, we present our findings from previous projects, as well as organised questions asked to young people, as well as their thoughts and opinions during projects..

We will look at the environmental and socialisation factors that contribute to a rise in crime among young people. We also want to look into the factors that contribute to the motivations that drive young people to engage in criminal activity by examining their daily routines and common behaviours and understanding the cycle that leads to their destruction.

From our experience we understand that the causes of disruption in a young persons life are multifaceted. Poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse are all factors that can contribute to young people breaking the law. Because of their birth circumstances, some people are more likely to become criminals than others. Previous research has shown that media violence has an impact on teenagers and can lead to aggressive behaviour. Although it is difficult to say whether youth violence is caused by media violence, our research has shown that playing violent video games, listening to violent music, eating unhealthy foods and consuming substances increases aggressive thoughts and behaviours.

The Music / Media

Music is important in the lives of young people, and they are exposed to it on a daily basis. However, there is concern that certain types of music may have a negative impact on young people's attitudes and behaviours. Rap/hip-hop Drill and Grime, three of the most popular genres of popular music among young people in England over the last two decades, have been accused of fostering problems in young people's behaviour due to numerous references to violence and substance use in the lyrics. Major media outlets use music as one of their primary platforms for spreading their message and, ultimately, selling products to the young demographic. Music remains a valuable means of self-expression and, perhaps, financial reward for young people who have a firm understanding of how to monetise their platform in exchange for large 'paydays' via social media, even if it means exaggerating and living a lifestyle that does not represent the positive route to success but instead displays the 'instant' route to Richies and inspires groups of young people across the country to embrace a life of crime in order to be accepted.

According to our research, two out of every five young people in South London and Medway intend to engage in criminal activity for no apparent reason and are solely motivated by the content they consume on a daily basis. Furthermore, 85 percent of young people who have frequently participated in our programmes express concern about their safety when travelling to different areas, because each collective of young people who make music typically creates visible content on YouTube to communicate their message to neighbouring areas. It doesn't matter if a neighbouring area is only 10 minutes away; if you're unknown or don't have strong ties, you could be in danger. The ability of technology has given any group of peers the ability to record a song on their phone and have it potentially have a million views within 24 hours, which could change your entire destiny, usually implying that whatever image was portrayed must be consistent. These factors play a significant role in the sub-conscious mind of every young person who recognises the viability of the options available to them if they pursue this path, as well as the consequences of pursuing a false image.

Nutrition

Researchers report today that an increasing number of fast food takeaways, such as fried chicken and kebab shops, are opening up, particularly in deprived areas, fuelling fears that the dietary divide between rich and poor will widen even further. According to a survey, deprived areas in London and across the country, such as Blackpool and parts of Manchester and Liverpool, have five times the number of fast food outlets as affluent areas. Children who are exposed to fast food on their way home from school are more likely to eat unhealthy foods, according to experts. By the age of 11, one out of every three children is overweight or obese.

Obesity is more than twice as common in children from poorer areas. 'The UK food retail environment encourages unhealthy food consumption,' according to the report. Despite the fact that there is still much to be done to combat childhood obesity, the United Kingdom is leading the way in ensuring that all children grow up in a healthy food environment.' In England, nearly two million children are food insecure, and only about a fifth of five to 15-year-olds consume five portions of fruits and vegetables per day. Unicef highlighted achievements in the United Kingdom, such as the introduction of a sugar tax and ongoing consultation on new legislation to prohibit unhealthy foods from being sold at checkouts and in price promotions. Eating a well-balanced diet is difficult for most young people, and it's even more difficult if you're on a tight budget, don't know much about nutrition, or don't know how to cook. Young people who adopt bad eating habits out of convenience are at a higher risk of developing serious health problems, which can lead to a variety of diseases. It's critical to be aware of each young person's eating habits and to take action. Providing a variety of healthy foods and encouraging a positive attitude toward food as a pleasurable part of life are effective ways to challenge the consciousness of our demographic's youth. Today, more than ever, we recognise that the best time to plant the seeds for healthy living and a positive attitude toward food is when we are young.

Substance Abuse

Marijuana is the only drug that has ever elicited such strong feelings. People join societies, attend cannabis events, support political causes, and even vote for politicians based on their cannabis views. Supporting cannabis legalisation has become fashionable and progressive, whereas opposing legalisation is seen as stodgy, reactionary, and conservative. Despite its widespread popularity, the science on cannabis use does not bode well, particularly for the teenage brain.

Marijuana use has surpassed tobacco use as the most commonly used illicit substance among adolescents and young adults. According to multiple sources. More than half of 18- to 25-year-olds have tried cannabis, demonstrating that marijuana use is especially dangerous among teenagers. Early use has consistently been linked to poorer outcomes, owing to the fact that the brain is still developing and thus more vulnerable to the effects of drugs. Marijuana use in adolescence has been linked to poor memory, difficulty learning, poorer life outcomes, and even changes in the structure and function of specific brain regions. Adolescents and young adults are also more likely than older adults to develop a marijuana addiction, which has negative consequences for physical, emotional, and psychological health.

What are the solutions? - Can we break the cycle?

To The identified components are the three main catalysts in the vicious cycle that encourages decline in our demographic's young people who participate in either stage, which contributes to their overall mental condition. To break the cycle, we believe the following components may help to reduce the number of young people who engage in the negative aspects of the cycle described above:

1. Interventions

Our programme provides a variety of music-based interventions aimed at increasing children and young people's confidence and emotional stability. Teaching people the fundamentals of music, entrepreneurship, life skills, and techniques for maintaining a healthy mentality, as well as how to recover when they experience a "down turn."

2. Partnership:

We hope to form strong collaborations with organisations that share similar goals, as well as with groups interested in developing effective intervention strategies to reduce reoffending among young people in London and Kent. As an organisation, we are developing a versatile service that will be available to local cohorts and institutions, such as schools and lower educational institutions that are focused on prevention. We intend to integrate our practise into the fabric of institutions in order to provide a stable environment for at-risk children and young people.

3. Online Support Courses:

We intend to expand all practises made available online into a course format that reaches young people throughout the county. We recognise that, due to the common friction between groups of young people from different neighbourhoods, not every individual who wishes to participate will be able to do so in person.

4.Drop in Service:

We intend to provide an effective weekly drop-in service to keep in touch with participants for a set period of time in order to help them progress to the point where they can act as positive-thinking ambassadors. The success of the participants will instil a sense of community pride in other young people and encourage them to become involved in a future project that we can present to foster future partnerships with other organisations across London and Kent.