When this subject is discussed in the UK I can't help noticing that it ALWAYS descends into a debate (OK - slanging match) about social class. Those on the political Right look down on chavs because they consider them to be socially inferior. Those on the Left immediately jump to the defence of chavs because they consider them to be members of the hallowed 'working class'; in spite of the fact that the majority of people on the Left, these days, are usually fairly comfortably off members of the middle class. Actual chavs couldn't give a flying f*ck because they choose to know nothing about politics and never, ever vote. And that is the real problem with chavs: their wilful ignorance. Unfortunately we now live in a society in which it is fashionable, among a significant percentage of the population, to present oneself as stupid, ignorant and anti-social. Some of these people (although by no means all) are disadvantaged - but that is not sufficient reason to defend the stance that they have chosen to take. If people on the Left were really striving towards a truly progressive society they would be challenging wilful stupidity - not defending it!