I hear people ask that question, and my first thought is they don't want an answer. It's a pretty safe bet people asked that question referring to us in days gone by. I meet some of the latest generation that almost make me wonder, but I also meet some young people who have direction in their life and will show accomplishment that will astound us. The fact is, I would not want to be in this new generation facing the hurdles and challenges they can't avoid but must overcome.
What's with this new generation?
- Thread starter TennVet
- Start date
VisualBrian
Member
When we were old enough (married with children) our parents began to tell us stories of the crazy shit they did when they were young. It's not like we thought they were saints, but it was eye opening. My father's favorite saying was "Kids today!".
And I agree with you @TennVet. I'm glad I'm old and don't have to overcome today's challenges.
And I agree with you @TennVet. I'm glad I'm old and don't have to overcome today's challenges.
carouselsilver
Member
- Location
- Eastern PA
I feel that the current generation is missing out on a lot that we loved and took for granted in our youth. Most kids are walking around and getting a stooped posture from staring at a phone and feeling the compulsion to photograph things instead of experiencing them. You can't enjoy a Broadway show without some youth feeling a compulsive need to use their phone. I don't see kids skipping rope, playing tic tac toe, running for the sheer joy of moving. They are living in a virtual world, and have no idea what it is like to just be in nature enjoying the grass on their bare feet. I feel sorry for them.
I see kids playing All the time when I visit parks & playgrounds. I see groups of teens hanging around after school talking & joshing. It's not bad today, it's just a little different.
YOUTH in a first world country is the BEST THING THERE IS. Youth is a Gift that we step on and trash.
YOUTH in a first world country is the BEST THING THERE IS. Youth is a Gift that we step on and trash.
carouselsilver
Member
- Location
- Eastern PA
I like that thought. I only hope that they realize how lucky they are.
They don't. We didn't. They're the same as us only younger.
fuzzybuddy
SF VIP
- Location
- The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I think every generation has to climb out of the hole the last generation dug.
stretch5881
Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
We live 1/2 mile from a small town that has tennis courts and a park with a ball diamond. We have a trout stream running through town and a short distance behind us. Yet we don't see kids going by on bicycles carrying fishing poles or ball gloves, or just going for a ride. No basketballs thumping and no kids hollering......nothing. It's been like that for almost 20 years.
School's out for the summer and no kids are around. Weird.
We only have hikers and bikers that are elderly going through.
School's out for the summer and no kids are around. Weird.
We only have hikers and bikers that are elderly going through.
carouselsilver
Member
- Location
- Eastern PA
This is what I mean! I don't see kids acting like kids.
Paco Dennis
SF VIP
- Location
- Mid-Missouri
I am trying to imagine what kind of incentive the young generation has to exercise and have fun with each other. Back when we were young, that is all that was promoted. We got involved with each other, and played together both in the hood, and in school/activities. I know that there are organized community activities, and even the public library is active in organizing public events. We have a parks and recreation dept. for the city. So there is enough interest that is provided for the youth to be involved but what is the incentive?
There is no propaganda/tv shows/commercials/leaders that promote these activities any more. It is a vacuum out there for the youth. Nothing to do except play with your phone.
There is no propaganda/tv shows/commercials/leaders that promote these activities any more. It is a vacuum out there for the youth. Nothing to do except play with your phone.
dilettante
Well-known Member
- Location
- Michigan
Maybe kids shouldn't be exposed to modern media? TV like "Leave It To Beaver" or movies like "The Goonies" instead of the bizarre stuff they get now from Netflix and Disney+ and Apple TV+ and other cultural re-education outlets.
I have always enjoyed the banter around the table during holiday gatherings. As our children became adults with families some of that banter was very revealing. Like when Mom and Dad were out to dinner and the kids were riding around in our second car with their siblings as passengers. More recently our grandchildren were amazed to learn that our daughter (now a mother of two teenagers) once got two tickets in one day from the same highway patrolman. I could go on but you get the point. It's family openly revealing itself to itself, and it's beautiful.
I came home one night around midnight, and Mom saw me flip a cigarette off the porch as I opened the door. She had been sitting up waiting for me in a state of worry. Her first words were look at that clock, its three in the morning. That clock was an antique mantel clock that hadn't winded up and had stopped. I listened to her tirade for a bit then with teenage smugness said, "Mom the clock stopped this afternoon at three." We both laughed and hugged then talked till daylight and had breakfast together. I went to work Saturday morning pretty tired, with a amusing memory of my mother.
I guess in reality, like any parent or grandparent I see the angst out there these days and would gladly bear the bad parts in their place.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
here where I live where it's safe unlike the cities.. the kids play like normal kids..they're in the playground, they're on their bikes, and scooters... and they scream....however... every one of them has a phone.. so if they're walking alone ..(little kids) they're on their phones ...if it's a group of young teens they're on their phones together..or playing music loudly from their phones...
However I have noticed that the teens here don't seem to know how to hold a conversation with an adult...on several occasions now , if I've had the need to speak to a teen, they just turn away as tho' I'm invisible. No reply.. no nothing.. completely ignored..
As parents and grandparents I feel like it is part of our responsibility to share some of our youth experiences with the younger members of the family. I also like for them to know how happy I am to be allowed to share some of their life as well. I have two personal rules in that regard, I go out of my way to tell them how proud I am about their accomplishments, large or small. Secondly, I make sure I tell them I love them with every opportunity that God gives me.
One of our grandsons who will be attending Duke University this fall, was on a facetime call with his future roommate during our visit a week ago. Imagine how proud I was when he brought his phone in the room and introduced each member of his family to his roommate. I made sure to tell him how much that meant to us, his grandparents. In the past I was guilty of saying youth was wasted on the young. Events like this make me want to retract that statement.
Sometimes I worry that maybe we sheltered our children too much. Living in a quiet small town atmosphere has that as a risk factor. I tried to expose the children to some of the unsavory elements while I was there to keep guard. Always know what's going on around you, if you are alone you're more vulnerable. Know how to move from danger but watch out for your buddy too.
As far as those conversations, we deserve some of the blame if they fall short. I try to invade some of their space on their terms. I send texts, and ask questions. If I'm lucky and they respond that starts a conversation. If they ask a question I hope I give them a worthy answer. Guess we just have to do the best we can.
The worst thing we can do is nothing. If we are trying some of it has to get through. I pray a lot too.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
I am not about to send a kid I barely know.. a text just to get their attention...that's never going to happen. Either the parents teach them manners or they don't....it's a concern that the young will lose the ability completely to hold a conversation unless it's tapped out on a keyboard
No I see that. I am speaking in the context of kids in our family. I would be concerned if those dear to me go a text of this nature from someone outside our family circle. I get what your saying, but let's assume the parents did teach them manners, don't you think they need the opportunity to practice their use? You know, asking for a friend.
hollydolly
SF VIP
- Location
- London England
yes... it's great if the parents are teaching them that they must learn to speak properly to people when they 're addressed and not be so hooked on the phone being the only thing that matters..as they all seem to be here...
A lot of it here is because the youths just are not given anything or anywhere to go . In the US & Canada..Sports are a huge thing for kids.. here.. no..there's almsot nothing....... they're left to their own devices unless they're interested in music and attend classes for a specialist subject but on the whole, very unlike the US and Canada, there very little for the Youth of the UK to do but to hang around in groups and use their phones as tho' it beat their own heart for them...