The Savage Generation; (1) Scots Teenagers Are among the Worst Behaved in Europe, Says Shock New Study (2) Drinking, Violence and Sexual Activity Soar as Children Fail to Learn Social Skills (3) Youngsters Have Little Contact with Family as They Choose Life on the Streets

Beginning of article

Byline: GRAHAM GRANT

SCOTTISH teenagers are growing into a generation of violent, binge drinking 'drifters' who spend less time with their families than any other children in Europe.

A worrying new report says more than half of 15-year-olds north of the Border go out with friends on four or more evenings a week.

The resulting lack of adult contact means they miss out on learning vital social skills and are more likely to get drunk regularly, get involved in fights and become sexually active.

Overall, 53 per cent of Scottish 15-yearolds spend three or fewer evenings a week in the company of their increasingly busy fathers and mothers - 48 per cent of girls …