Last month a series of public toilets were vandalised in Aberaeron, Lampeter and Llandysul. I also note that three lots of public toilets in Aberystwyth are closed due to vandalism. Dyfed-Powys Police state that they have “taken proactive action following the incident of arson that occurred at public toilets in Lampeter on Friday 20th February,” and that, “A youth has admitted to this offence and is now being appropriately managed through the youth justice system to prevent future re-offending.”

Before I’d read this notice on the Dyfed-Powys Police site, I was travelling to London where I got talking on the train to an amazing couple who were telling me about their work with troubled teenagers, mostly in the care system. I was hooked as I’ve taught many a young person in care myself.

On mentioning the vandalism, one of the couple immediately piped up, “That’ll be a youngster.” It’s most people’s reaction but I asked him his reasoning. He said, “What do you expect?” He carried on explaining how young people have been exposed to violent computer games from an early age. Games supposed to be for 18 plus are played by many under tens. He’d seen two year olds playing them. These are games where everything gets destroyed, including people. This normalisation of violence took us straight to current events and their impact on young people.

Leaders like Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin are hell-bent on destroying whole communities, towns, facilities, mainly from a distance, ‘soldiers’ firing from behind a computer screen, just like in the games. I’ll be even-handed, Iran’s leaders, what’s left of them, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have carried out their fair share of killing and destruction too.

Adults in our country are equally guilty of vandalism, from fly-tipping to littering. That’s illegal but there’s plenty of sanctioned vandalism too. So I ask, what are young people to make of all this?

I listened to Radio 4’s Today programme this week where they were interviewing sixth formers in Bridgend. All of them said the same, how they have no hope of getting work or an apprenticeship, how they’re likely to have to move away from their homes. That bunch was studying. How about the young people who are not in work or studying? The interviewed teenagers also said they weren’t going to vote. In fairness, one said maybe, if there was a party that would help him have a decent future. Have we brought up ‘generation hopeless’?

I’ve worked with young people for decades and have met plenty with negative attitudes but I also know loads of wonderful youngsters, keen to learn, hardworking and prepared to do horrible jobs in order to improve their chances.

The couple on the train are clearly making a difference to the lives of many young people. I’d like to think I’ve done my bit. We must be able to offer them hope. And that has to start with adults setting examples, including our politicians. Condemnation of illegal wars is a must. With all the communication systems at our fingertips, why do certain leaders think violence will sort problems out rather than the use of diplomacy? Will they face justice for war crimes in the International Courts? I hate to say it but these leaders are all men.

On International Women’s Day (8 March) a press release from the Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women condemned the lack of gender balance in politics and especially in positions of power. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous said, “At a time of growing global instability, escalating conflicts and a visible backlash against women’s rights, shutting women out of political leadership weakens societies’ ability to respond to the challenges they face.” She went on to say, “Women bring perspectives and experience that are essential for making better decisions, preventing conflict and building lasting peace. When women are fully involved in political leadership, countries are more stable, policies work better for people, and societies are better prepared to face the crises shaping our world today.”

Let’s hope we get some very sensible women elected to the Senedd in May. In the meantime, what should we do with our young vandal? Kneejerk reactions abound. I think restorative justice might be good in this case. For this young person has to appreciate how having no working public toilets affects people. In Aberaeron, the toilets behind Costcutters are used by many bus travellers including the drivers. There are no toilets on the buses and journeys can be as long as four hours. Let the perpetrator meet people with weak bladders or other incontinence problems. No toilets is no joke.

I’d love to know who has made one of the Aberystwyth bus shelters into a beauty. Here’s a big thank you from me. Let’s make peace and hope our united goal.