In Defense of the Next Generation
Posted: Sunday, July 10, 2011
by Jean Horst
I'd walk a mile to defend the next generation. I know, I know, "Kids these days" is a favorite line of over 40 folks to begin a rant about how this next bunch of kids is a disrespectful, slovenly, apathetic, lazy bunch of so and so's. I respectfully beg to differ, this is my defense of a great bunch of young men and women.
I lay that out because I want you to understand that in the last four+ years, our house has seen teens and young adults from all across the board, so I'm not just defending one type of kid. My sons have brought home jocks, geeks, theater nerds, musicians, Asians, African-Americans, Europeans, Anglos, Hispanics, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Atheists, gay kids, straight kids, academic overachievers, so-so students, actors, home schooled kids, Christian school kids, private school kids, public school kids, kids raising themselves (literally living without parental supervision), Republicans, Democrats, Socialists, US born, naturalized citizens, legal/illegal immigrants and on and on.
After all that, I've got to say that I take offense when I hear some older person making generalized, critical statements about them. I'm a big fan of this bunch. I think they will do just fine whenever we get out of the way and it's their turn to run things. They may very well do a much better job than us. I'm not kidding and that's not just wishful thinking.
By and large, this group of young people is very engaged in what's going on around them. They have the internet and are extremely fluent in it's language. They don't have to wait for us to tell them what's going on and what to think. They can (and do) log on and read the New York Times, The Washington Post, Al Jazeera English, BBC World News, Hindustan Times, or the Kiev Post. They have grown up with diversity as the norm not the exception, they are not bothered by it and I'm hard pressed to find xenophobia in their ranks. They are well versed in group speak. They see much value in protecting and preserving the group, while still wanting to allow others to have their individual expression. They probably won't sell their souls to a corporation. They do know that the corporation is not going to go to bat for them. They value their personal time and more power to them for it!
Today's young adults are quite socially conscious. They think nothing of dropping everything to organize a benefit for victims of disasters and tragedies. I've witnessed clothing drives for those displaced by hurricane Katrina, a benefit concert for Haiti, spaghetti dinner for a local family who suffered a horrible house fire that took the life of their high school daughter, and yet another fund raiser for family who lost several in a spring break car accident. All of these successful events were conceived, planned, and executed entirely by teenagers. They volunteer at food banks, pet adoption agencies, meals on wheels, mentoring programs, after school tutoring, hospitals, churches, political rallies, summer camps and much more.
Of course, I also know some of them are stoners and dropouts and party animals but I don't see it in any greater proportion than my generation or the generation before that. There are some who are downright inspirational to me. Those who are determinedly making their own way in spite of being failed parentally on every level. Getting jobs, applying to colleges, moving on with life because they have goals and dreams and no one will keep them from it.
I implore you "old people" not to fall into the criticism trap. After all, we were once the "kids these days" and the same things were said about us. We should learn from the past and work along side the next up and coming group. Let's do our best to pass on what we know and rejoice when they surpass us!
If you read this and say I'm totally off base and you don't know any kids like this, well, all I can say is "I'm sorry" and I feel badly for you. Come by my house some Saturday night - I can arrange for you to meet a bunch!
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More commentsJean, I think you are correct. Anyone who spends time with young people (people of any category for that matter) learns to appreciate their different perspectives on things better-thus learn to respect them more. Mass media often is the worst barometer to measure the real gifts and faults any group possess. So I guess the lesson here is if you want to appreciate folks-get to know them. Duh…go figure"if you want to appreciate folks-get to know them" - Amen! Thanks for the comment, Bing!
HI Jean! I agree - I look at the kind of kid I was and the kind of kids my kids are - every generation has its groups of drop outs and druggies - and of that bunch, many get their lives under control and become great members of society. My house was just like yours, bunches of great kids from all walks of life - Art and I used to make a huge breakfast for the slumber parties are son and daughter had. Kudos for writing this - I am walking with you! Blessings, TThanks for stopping by and commenting, T! Always great to hear from you.
Totally agree Jean. I am sometimes in awe of my children and the extent of their knowledge. My house was like a train station because it was safer. My children thought it was "kewl" and their friends thought I was "Kewl". Funny that. I always knew what the kids where up to and as long as they could talk to me about anything they were happy with the arrangement. Now they are smart, their friends have grown up to be great well mannered children and I am really proud of them all. Three cheers for this generation.!Sounds like your house was a twin of my house. I wouldn't have had it any other way. I'm glad to find so many kindred spirits chiming in here!
I love what you've written here. My kids are 23 and 21, and like you, I've met a large number of teens over the years. There hasn't been one I wouldn't go to bat for. Teens, in general, do tend to get painted with the same brush, which is unfortunate. They face different challenges than we did at that age, it's a whole new world, and they are the future.Amen, Sister! We need to get in the same city sometime and have coffee!
I would really love to drop by your house any Saturday, Jean, to enjoy that bunch of young adults but I am so far away. Anyway, I appreciate your kindness towards the next generation with an open mind. In fact, we shouldn't underestimate the young bunch. They are our brilliant future leaders.............I would love to have you Hilda! My house will be a lot quieter for a couple of years as my two oldest will be off to colleges this fall and my youngest is just starting 6th grade. I look forward to meeting the next round of teens when he is older.
I totally expect to see some of these kids make names for themselves nationally in the US in the future. Thanks for commenting!
This was really great to read, Jean, thanks! It's really easy to moan about "the younger generation" and not see all the wonderful things about them. I'm constantly being blown away by kids of all ages, how present they can be, and aware and alive. How much they think for themselves. I think children of every generation know more than their parents, it's natural.
And I have to say that your children sound amazing with how they embrace other kids from all walks of life!Thanks Jennifer! My children have made me a better person, most certainly.
My mom is a lot like you, Jean. She was always very active in my life when I was in high school and always welcomed my friends regardless of orientations or backgrounds. It's refreshing, being at a midpoint between young adult and having my own children, to hear another voice of support for the up-and-comers. It's exactly what they need to hear and know from the generation before them. Great article! :DI so appreciate your comments, Melissa. I think it's really important for generations to work together and recognize each others contributions instead of seeing each other as the problem/enemy.
Welcome to SearchWarp!I couldn't agree more. So much more could be shared and accomplished that way! :D
We need to think back to when we were the younger generation - it wasn't all bad then either!So true, Marijo. It seems like every generation has to gripe and complain about how bad the next one is... I will not repeat the cycle! Thanks for reading and commenting
Despite my recent article which talks about a particular segment of our next generation, I agree with your article. I could have spoken more about the postive, driven, socially conscious members of our younger generation, but I of a different mindset that day. There are many great young people out there, and I do support them. Great article! Thanks for reminding me about the other members of the next generation.
JDYou're welcome, JD!
Slovenly, apathetic lazy bunch of so &sos...humm, sounds vaguely familar- Plato, I think- speaking of the youth back in BCE having gone to the dogs.....different words- same meaning-. some things never change do they.Nope, some things never do... ;)
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