Education
Evidence tells us that the majority of graffiti is carried out
by young males between the ages of 11 and 16 although increasingly
females and younger children are involved in graffiti.
Graffiti is written for a number of reasons. Perhaps most
commonly to achieve fame and notoriety amongst peers with the
greatest recognition coming from putting your tag (signature) in a
dangerous or inaccessible place. Other reasons might include gang
culture and bravado, alienation, boredom and graffiti as a means of
artistic expression.
Many young people grow up with graffiti. Seeing it regularly in
their local area and accepting it as part of the urban fabric of
their neighbourhood.
However the distinction between graffiti vandalism and aerosol
art done with permission is often not made. Education is one of the
key tools used to deliver the message highlighting the difference
between graffiti vandalism and graffiti done with the owners
permission.
A teacher's pack has been produced for local schools to assist
in highlighting the dangers of graffiti.
It is for use by teachers of key stage three (and upper years of
key stage two) in citizenship; PSHE and geography or environmental
studies; heads of department and curriculum managers.
It contains:
- a lesson plan
- visual aids
- activities for pupils
- a video/DVD about graffiti
The pack has a strong environmental focus although there are
cross-curricular links to literacy and drama.
There are no legal graffiti sites in the borough. However a
number of mural, mosaics and art projects have also been created in
areas that suffer from graffiti vandalism. By working with young
people of the borough a sense of ownership is created which helps
to reduce graffiti and other forms of anti-social behaviour.
If you would like further information about any of the education
initiatives please contact the graffiti team.
Also see: