Do children value and look after their things as well as they would in the past?

I work at a school and there is an incredible amount of property left behind every day from jumpers to lunchboxes, books to phones, calculators and even computers.

When I leave in the afternoon it is not unusual to see more items of clothing and even school bags left on the grounds near the pick up points and bus stop.

Often when asked about these the students will say "oh my parents will buy me a new one"

Last week I found a computer in the grounds and put it in my office. I rang the parents to tell them I had it. They said they were wondering where it had got to and that they would tell their child to come and get it. He showed up 2 days later and was completely unconcerned about having left it outside the building, and many of the students who claim lost property are equally unconcerned about it.

When I was younger if I had left my property behind l would have been worried out of my skull. The phrase "my parents would kill me" comes to mind. If I lost something because I was careless with it I would have to replace it myself.