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America’s Youth
By John | July 30, 2009
I saw an interview of medical students on TV the other day. It triggered the following thoughts on America’s youth:
Today’s youth seem socially mature and socially sophisticated. They are self-confident and believe they deserve to get what they want. They are team players, and see themselves as part of a social group. They believe in the economic, social and educational systems in which they participate. They are articulate, upbeat and happy.
Today’s youth seem shallow - almost mechanical in the way they think. They buy into the latest fads. They believe in environmentalism, global warming and government energy policies. They believe in socialism, fairness and the good intentions of others.
Despite their self-confidence, most young people are relatively incompetent. They have spent the vast majority of their lives in institutional settings, and have developed few of the individual competencies of their predecessors.
Most young people are self-centered, but don’t see themselves that way. If they are store clerks, they will give priority to conversations with friends and ignore customers. They are unwilling to make sacrifices - they tend to do what they like doing - which can be both a positive and a negative, depending upon circumstances.
A couple of generations ago, we would not have needed to import migrant labor to harvest crops and perform menial tasks. Kids were expected to help out. Today’s kids don’t do menial tasks. They expect to enjoy what they are doing. If not, don’t do it! If I don’t have something to do that I enjoy, entertain me! I am entitled.
Like most young people throughout history, today’s youth are naive. They believe what they are told, and idealize their world. They don’t handle responsibility well, because they lack experience with it. They have been trained to trust in “the system.”
Now, getting back to that medical student interview I observed on television. When asked if they believed that the health care system needed reform, they all raised their hands. They don’t question the very need for a “system.” They don’t question the motivations of those advocating reform of the “system.” Their responses to questions were robotic, like they had memorized the party line.
As you can see, I am somewhat critical of today’s youth. I like them. They are pleasant people. However, they are products of an institution I don’t respect - government schools. Many of their beliefs won’t hold up in the real world. Let’s hope they adjust.
Topics: Commentary |
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 pm
i loved the article added to my favourites
August 7th, 2009 at 3:41 am
I added your blog to bookmarks. And i’ll read your articles more often!