I totally agree with Gaby Hinsliff (Loved ones mourn Kelyan Bokassa, the 14-year-old boy killed on a London bus. And we all have some thinking to do, 10 January). In my professional life, for 40 years or so I mainly taught secondary pupils, mostly in and around London. Looking back on my varied career, my favourite job was teaching boys. I observed that they bumble along the road to maturity and sexuality. In an all-boys’ environment, they find their own way to adulthood.
There are so many pressures on young people, and “being a man” is one that is foisted on boys earlier and earlier. Being their “own man” and being part of a gang with power and influence – as well as having access to material possessions – must be a seductive lure to them.
