Mutual Contempt Between Teens And Adults Could Be Resolved With Understanding, Respect
Lately I’ve noticed a disturbing phenomenon - the emergence of a new subspecies.
It is neither listened to nor believed. Its members are regarded by the previous generation as worthless, lazy, unintelligent and immoral.
Naturally, their sole purpose is to cheat, lie, vandalize and offend all those around them.
Yes, it’s another commentary on the gaping chasm between the values of baby boomers and today’s teenagers. But the issue can’t be ignored. The lack of trust that teens have in authority figures is contributing to the downfall of our society.
We have completely lost respect for each other.
No one I know under 20 understands the reason we are treated the way we are by adults. No adult I know realizes how they treat us. It’s as if to them, we are ignorant of all the requirements of a peaceful society.
All I can wonder is, how can they not see that they’re the ones who created us?
There’s no question that the teenagers of today are out of control in comparison with our 1950s counterparts. Guns, violence, drugs and sex are rampant, and nobody can see any hope for a better future.
But how can tomorrow’s leaders even consider a change until we are given better role models?
When I look at society, I don’t like what I see at all. I hear a cop tell kids that they’re worthless and irresponsible; I see a middleaged woman cowering behind security guards and asking them to tell the “delinquents” to leave her establishment when they just wanted to drink some coffee; I feel the contempt with which teachers, counselors and parents seem to regard my friends and me.
Nevertheless, adults expect us to develop into self-respecting, motivated people who will deal with society’s problems when we are the only ones left to face them. But being told that I have no redeeming qualities is not likely to help me grow up believing that I can do anything to change the world.
Don’t make us feel as if there is nobody on our side. If we were given the respect we deserve as human beings, it would give us something on which to base our actions toward our elders.
When I was younger, I couldn’t wait to grow up - the power and importance were enticing. Now I’m afraid that I’ll forget what it was like to be young and still able to find the good things in the world and encourage them to thrive; instead, I will wither into someone who has forgotten how to teach yet still refuses to learn.
xxxx