Their deprived and troubled backgrounds were not admitted into evidence or discussed in the media. The boys were depicted as evil and despicable. The media's role in today's case has been similar. Attention has been focused solely on the alleged actions and statements of a little boy, to the complete exclusion of the social context in which the tragedy occurred. People are increasingly hounded off welfare and deprived of assistance with their children's development and entertainment.
Similar conditions exist throughout working class suburbs and rural towns across Australia.
With children and their families starved of decent education, recreation and social assistance, there are bound to be further tragic incidents such as that in Macquarie Fields. Through the vilification of this young boy, public opinion is being conditioned to blame individuals, whether they be little children or adults, for the ever-more apparent failure of the present social order. The WSWS invites your comments. Please send e-mail .