The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has held a consultation to find out what people thought were today's 'social evils'.

Individualism, greed, a decline of community and a decline of values were among the social evils that worried the 3500 respondents the most.

Other concerns included:

• Drugs and alcohol: misuse of drugs and alcohol was seen as the consequence and cause of many other social problems, such as family breakdown and poverty.
• Poverty and inequality: poverty was viewed as a corrosive social evil in an affluent society, underpinning other social problems like homelessness and family breakdown. 
• The decline of the family: family breakdown and poor parenting were felt to cause many other social problems and leave young people particularly vulnerable.
• Immigration and responses to immigration: some participants felt that local residents lose out to immigrants in competition for scarce resources. Others criticised negative attitudes to, and lack of support for, immigrants and thought society should be more tolerant and inclusive.
• Crime and violence: people felt that Britain is more dangerous and violent than in the past. Child abuse and exploitation were highlighted as particularly damaging evils.
• Young people as victims or perpetrators: young people were seen by some as perpetrators of social evils like anti-social behaviour, or by others as the victims of stereotypes and limited opportunities.

Further information is available on the Joseph Rowntree Foundation website.