Kids Today…

Allison Perrin

Kids today! Adults always seem to be scoffing at the new generation of teenagers for one reason or another. We are too unruly, impolite, messy, unthankful, disrespectful, lazy…you name it. No matter what we do, we seem to be labeled as “out of control.” But really, is this generation so bad? After all, the fifties was not a time period filled only with well-behaved girls in poodle skirts and polite gentlemen in letterman jackets, as it is usually portrayed. Students set garbage cans on fire in schools, absconded with teachers’ grade-books, and even worse, were considerably more racist. They were certainly not the sweet-talking cherubs that they are made out to have been. Now, I am not saying that all kids behaved in such an abominable manner, but these are just some examples of activities that transpired during that swell time period. I am also not trying to imply that the students who participated in such activities remained undisciplined, but the point is that they had the presence of mind to involve themselves in such undertakings. However, today it seems that when teenagers show the least bit of rebelliousness, they are chastised and regarded as the most poorly-behaved kids ever. It is as if we are the first generation to misbehave, when in fact, that is the furthest from the truth.

From an inside perspective, this generation of teens appears to be an incredibly hard-working group of young people. After all, hard work is the only way to survive. We are apart of a great population influx, meaning the competition between peers in all areas has increased. Not only has the competition for college admittance heightened, but later on the fight for a life-supporting job will become more difficult. Also, the school curriculum has become substantially more rigorous than in previous generations, and continues to grow in difficulty and amount of information to be learned. Unfortunately, the fact that kids are becoming more highly educated at younger ages, for example taking college-level courses as young as sophomores, does not enter into their public persona.

Furthermore, after school sports and activities have intensified. All coaches want their teams to play their sports all year long. So when does this leave time for the other sports that the kids enjoy? Of course most high school sports only take place during one season; however, children are constantly encouraged to join other sports programs outside of school in order to stay in shape. In terms of other activities, since kids are under so much pressure to appear well-rounded and involved in the community, they often join clubs in order to appeal to college admission offices, even if they are uninterested in the particular club.

Similarly, for kids, the summer vacation is no longer a time for relaxation. Not only is there summer homework, but there is pressure to go to specialty camps for athletics, to take summer school, or embark on some educational endeavor abroad. The main goal of a summer has become to engage in an impressive and educational experience. Truthfully, teens are more stressed out than ever. High school should be a time to work, but it should also be a time to have fun and enjoy youth. Unfortunately, the more one cares about school, the harder life is for that person. Although all adults have undergone the often harrowing stage of adolescence, times have drastically changed; standards have become even tougher for teens. The kids themselves have not changed, only their surroundings.

After all, kids have always been rebellious and ready to test the limits; so why now, when teens are pushing themselves and their abilities more than ever, are they being criticized for their characteristic nature?