Lack of parental discipline is viewed as a major cause of crime in Northern Ireland.
Almost half (45%) those who took part in the Department of Justice perceptions of crime survey blamed lenient parents for the actions of their children, making it the third most perceived cause of crime behind only drugs (82%) and alcohol (60%).
Belfast City councillor Dr John Kyle said: “Children do better if they know there are clear boundaries and that to cross a boundary will have consequences.
“That’s where disciplining children is effective in that right from the early days they learn there is a way to behave and a way not to behave.
“While we want to give them freedom to express themselves and to explore, take risks and to develop their personalities, there needs to be somebody there saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ for certain behaviours for the child’s own benefit.
“Where children grow up without knowing there are boundaries and norms of behaviour I think that can then predispose [them] to behaviour in later life or adolescence which is problematic and can lead to crime.
“It’s damaging to them and to the victims.”
The DOJ Northern Ireland Safe Community Survey for 2018-19 was released on Thursday.
It also shows 60% of people in Northern Ireland think crime has increased in the past two years.
Those who took part had more positives views of crime in their local area than two years ago, but 29% believed local crime levels have increased.
One in 10 also thought levels of antisocial behaviour in their areas to be high.
Alliance Party MLA Paula Bradshaw said: “This survey is extremely helpful in identifying the fear of crime and, to some degree, the causes and contributing factors.
“It shows clearly much more must be done at a community level to address issues such as addiction and poor mental health, and to help parents manage in areas where these issues are commonly identified.”
