students are "nothing new'', but warned the situation could get much worse if it is left unchecked.

They cited changing values and social pressures as the major causes of aggressive behaviour among the Island's youth.

St. George's Secondary principal Mr. Dale Butler said problems such as drugs and violence can not be resolved without a proper examination of the values currently held by young people.

Mr. Butler said students are entering the education system with poor manners and contempt for authority figures such as teachers and Police. "They must be taught to respect other people,'' he said.

As for violence between children, Mr. Butler said there has been "a small, but noticeable increase in student aggression'', but emphasised the situation was not overwhelming or out of control.

He said it was natural to have occasional fights within a student body, but noted one disturbing trend -- "outsiders'' subjecting students to physical threats and violence.

Mr. Butler said it is easier for students to deal with confrontations with their schoolmates because their opponent is known and there is a principal or teacher present to help resolve the matter.

Clashes with persons outside of the school are more complicated he said, because the student often doesn't know how to deal with the situation without the guidance of an authority figure.

Northlands Secondary's principal Mr. Warren Jones said recent incidents, like the brutal attack on a teenager at the Hamilton bus terminal, show the frustration which is building in many sectors of the Island's youth.

Mr. Jones said children are "carrying a lot more baggage'' than previous generations, and are forced to deal with difficult social issues at a younger age.

Today's economic climate, with it's numerous single parent and dual-career households, removes the supervision and guidance that was once the cornerstone of society he said, leaving "children to bring themselves up''.

"The traditional roles of the church and the family have been taken over by the television,'' Mr. Jones said. "Children now get their ideals from television.'' He added: "As parents, we need to get a handle on our children. In a lot of cases, the child seems to be the one telling the parent what to do. Parents will have to take more control and should not be afraid to say `no'.'' Sandys Secondary's Mr. Melvin Bassett said that although his school had not seen any significant rise in aggressiveness, the increase in violence as a whole was cause for concern.

Mr. Bassett said the escalation in violent crimes, lack of respect for others and their property, and general breakdown of society's moral fabric has trickled down to the Island's children.

"Our young people have become desensitised,'' he said. "They are bombarded with violence on television -- even in the middle of the day.'' Mr. Bassett also wondered how adults can expect pristine behaviour from youngsters when their own actions leave much to be desired.

"We have the responsibility to provide proper role models,'' he said, adding that children mimic what they see.

Mr. Bassett agreed with his colleagues by saying the steady disintegration of the family unit and decline of church influence has left schools to "carry the ball'', which they are ill-equipped to do.

Mr. Bassett said Sandys Secondary has been trying to provide a "family-type atmosphere'' by keeping students in home room units for their entire school career.

He said this fosters a bonding between the pupils and their home room teacher, and "goes a long way in the prevention of problems''.

MR. DALE BUTLER -- Bermuda's youth must be taught to respect others.