Oink

There seems to be a lot of discussion lately about how chavs and chav behavior is undesirable and even harmful to the well being of society. There is a sense that this culture is overwhelming the rest of the society, so much so that many people suggest they can’t cope with such a phenomenon and as such, it is often cited as a reason to emigrate to another country.

But what is ‘it’ in our society that produces such an underclass? An underclass that has distinct cultural attitudes, behaviors and codes that the majority of the society profess to find repugnant. Could we as a society, if we wanted to, eradicate chavs and the associated behavior? If this were possible, would it be desirable? One wonders how would the lower-middle and middle classes would react if there were no native underclass for an avenue of their contempt and disdain? Would it change middle class identity? Could it on a more immediate concern to this forum, change emigration patterns/motivation?

It seems to the casual observer that education; especially higher education would probably to the best option to create change. As Monty Python has comically demonstrated, it’s difficult to imagine a group of chavs, drinking alco-pops around the back of the precinct discussing Wittgenstein’s private language argument. A policy of this type and scale would obviously cost a lot of money, although one could argue that the cost-benefit of saving welfare payments, social work, policing, judicial system etc. would off-set much of this. I suppose the question is; do we need chavs or not?

dbd33

An underclass is a necessary feature of a capitalist economy, it's only the prospect of ending up as a member that drives people to fritter away their lives in tedious jobs that benefit others more than they do the workers. Such an underclass is not new, one has existed since the industry revolution.

Emigration is a remedy for individuals not because it eliminates the phenomenon but because the individuals no longer have to look at it. Countries such as Canada and Australia are good destinations for such emigrants as those countries operate a kind of caste system, confining their underclass on remote reservations or in unattractive suburbs of major cities.

One may make the case that the lackadaisical approach to commerce seen in Canada exists because the downtrodden underclass are kept away from the remainder of the populace; without frequent exposure to chavs the workers are not motivated, they lack the proper level of fear.

kimilseung

I note you talk about the lumpen and the middle, but no mention of the working class. How does the working class fit in to your question?

Oink

Would higher education be the most appropriate vehicle to create such a change? David Willetts minister for universities has just recently said that more undergraduate places need to be created at the prestigious institutions. Should those who are most likely to be susceptible the cultural influences of chavs be guided into HE?


Does the working class exist in real terms these days?

el_richo

Eradicating chavs would have a detrimental impact on British emigration to the Prairie Provinces, and Prince George.

Oink

Do chavs emigrate and if so, do they cease to be chavs?

Alan2005

Of course. Chavs are a distinct and unique british cultural phenomena - you don't get those here.

el_richo

Maybe they cease to be labeled a chav, but ultimately they're a chav in a bigger house, wearing a hat and scarf for 10 months of the year and DEET for the remaining 2.

I blame Air Transat for bringing them over here in the first place

Greenhill

How do chavs become chavs?

Ill Manors:



Another movie on the subject:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435680/

And the sequel:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1126596/

Tangram

That could be true. Perhaps they come over, buy pick up trucks that they don't need, larger houses and larger aggressive dogs, but surely one can spot them a mile off and therefore avoid them. I'm sure there was a hints and tips page in Country Life.

Almost Canadian

What drives people to fritter their lives in such tedious jobs in non-capitalist societies, it is simply the threat of execution?

dbd33

Which societies do you have in mind? I thought the chav driven economy was now the norm.

el_richo

Not sure, but I didn't notice any on All Creatures Great and Small.

There were some chavs drinking booze on the sea wall last night. Although they were Canadian so I'm not sure that counts. Luckily a homeless fella came by and cleaned up the empty cans and cigarette ends they accidentally left behind

I wonder where they shop for their jewelry in the prairie provinces and prince George? I don't imagine there's an Elizabeth Duke outlet available in those areas. Do Air Transat have a concession on board

Oink

I think the UK is changing a bit and maybe chavs are becoming gentrified somewhat. I was watching Coronation Street the other week and they had hummus and olives for little Simon's birthday tea. That's pretty posh.

Alan2005

Everybody wants a piece of the chav pound. However it's hard to compete with JJB sports and dave who sells addidas knock offs in the pub car park.