During the late 1800s, this age was raised initially to “13” and then a few years later to “16” (a Christian-led investigation found that Parliamentary MPs were routinely engaging in sexual activity with young, poor street children). At aged 16 in the UK, a youth remains a minor who cannot vote or drink alcohol – but can consent to sexual intercourse, can get married (with parental permission), and join the British Army (to fight and die in wars they cannot vote for or against). It is only at “18” that an individual becomes an “Adult” in the UK. However, children used to go to work at “5”, and were sexually abused by adults – usually employers or caregivers. Working-class children were rarely educated. Middle-class children experienced idyllic upbringings – often attending boarding school at 8 years old (at least for the boys). These public schools were rife with homosexual abuse – and still are. The 1948 Welfare State effectively copied the Soviet Union and transformed UK society until the election of Thatcher in 1979 – an odious woman who destroyed a thriving UK society (we lost our free education in 1988). There was no need to abolish the Vagrancy Act in 1948 as the Labour government successfully tackled all the reasons that created homelessness. Yes – there were the odd “tramp” as we called them – but these were assumed to have chosen this lifestyle (although in reality these individuals are probably suffering from mental health issues). It is a tricky situation, as many young adults (during the 1960s) voluntarily “went on the road” as a means of self-discovery, hitch-hiking across the UK and Europe (the UK is NOT part of Europe). I suspect that new legislation will take the place of the Vagrancy Act – but that incoming migrants will be looked-after – whilst already settled British will be punished for being poor.
