Doof Politics
The Spotlight
There's so much going on in the media concerning doofs it can be difficult for every day folk to follow. It ranges from talk of banning them, to police shutting them down, to noise complaints and more. As increased concern floods the community, so too does the complexity of discussions.
For this reason, this article will attempt to clarify exactly what is being discussed, in as simple terms as possible. The overall scope can be broken down into two broad, seemingly unrelated, discussions: 'Home Parties' and 'Music Festivals'.
Home Parties
Some Australians would like to see the doof party theme banned completely. However, this may well be a case of "Be very careful what you wish for".
While it would greatly relieve already stretched police resources, the last thing Australians want is for everything to be banned, including a backyard BBQ. That two States in Australia have already brought in criminal charges (between $12,000 and $18,000 or 1 year imprisonment) for so much as a drunken arguement breaking out at home, is very troubling indeed.
Australians, young and old, should embrace the freedom of choices we are afforded today, including a party at home.
Noise complaints, on the other hand, have their place in society; banning parties outright - not so much.
Doof Festivals
Doof themed home parties have come under fire lately due to a recent rise in community concern about drug-culture at outdoor music festivals. Those shouting the loudest need to pause and ask themselves this one, simple question.
Where would you prefer our youth 'danced with the devil'? In a lonely, dirty city drain with nobody around to help? Or at a music festival with experienced paramedics near by?
Clearly, removing the drug-debate from the political arena provides, not only the most obvious answer, but also the most responsible. For many festival organisers and parents, it's not a question of criminality, it's a question of morality.
Youths take risks, it's a natural progression between child and adult. Children don't just wake up one day as an adult, they make a lot of mistakes and silly decisions on the long road to maturing into young adults.
In the meantime, the best any parent can hope for is that they're in a safe, caring, approachable and supervised environment when they're not at home. Music festivals are one such environment.
It is this very delicate balance between criminality and morality that requires some working out. Perhaps police are better equipped to deal with one while parents/organisers are better equipped to deal with the other. Perhaps some roles are already as they should be.
The Relationship
Like all politics, the relationship is complicated, but to deny that binge-behaviour has had an unequivocal influence in our culture is absurd. According to the World Health Organization, our love-affair with alcohol and drugs landed us the fourth naughtiest nation in the world!
It's no mistake that alcohol is another hot topic in media at present, it clearly demonstrates the real challenges are less about 'satanic music' and more about deeply rooted Australian binge-culture.
Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services says it's "a dangerous precedent to charge people for policing".
