What's wrong with our youth? Is it a psychosocial disorder? Is it the parents?

[DArtist]

The way that are youth are experienced to "today's world" is one area of concern. They are being allowed to skip over their wonder years so many times and know things that many of us while growing up were not privy to.

Many parents unfortunately allow outside influences to take the place of real parenting at home. Schools are prime examples, hence the reason why there are so many events that occur there that make the evening news, and we look on shocked.

[moe.ron]

It's because they didn't get to watch GI Joe.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

Most doctors who treat these children give them medicine that the doctors have invested in, and only those medications.

And where do you get your information that "Most doctors" give patients psychotherapy drugs to profit off their investments? Most doctors give these medications because the parents are pushing for an easy fix for behavioral problems that are best treated with discipline. It's the same effect seen when doctors prescribe antibiotics for colds because the patient's demand and expect to receive an antibiotic despite its uselessness in the situation and the danger of drug resistance. Society is the issue not the doctors.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Kids don't even watch cartoons anymore. Their idea of a Saturday morning is surfing the internet. When I was a kid I looked foward to Saturday mornings and donuts while watching the Smurfs.

That's because there are about 80 ookabillion stations that have cartoons on 24/7, who cares about the 4 networks showing whatever? Kids have so much these days and don't realize it. Don't get me started on how food packaging is being changed to appeal to kids (and I don't just mean Frosted Flakes either, I mean main dishes) to the point that you feel dumb if you're a grownup buying it.

There was a poster on here one time saying that our society doesn't do enough to cater to children - I honestly wonder what the hell America she was living in, because my experience is the opposite.

And that's another part of the problem.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I guess I'm bothered by the broad brush you're using to paint that generation. The vast majority of kids are still good kids. When I worked in adolescent psych, I saw the most difficult teens on a daily basis. I got pretty worried, much as you are, that the whole generation was awful. I had to open my eyes though. We had a 20 bed unit which was not usually full, yet there were thousands and thousands of youth in our cachment area. The percentage of kids we saw annually was quite small compared to the total population and a lot of the kids in our program weren't even violent/acting out kids. Many of them were more depressed/suicidal. I started making a point of spending time with my very healthy, productive, and fun nieces and nephews.

Now? I have two middle schoolers myself. I went to an Eagle Court of Honor tonight and saw a large group of great boys who are very dedicated to bettering themselves and society. I have a Girl Scout as well as a Boy Scout. I am surrounded by kids who do well academically, are wholesome, thoughtful, nice kids engaged in healthy activities. I am impressed by their ability to converse about global warming, politics, and their belief systems. The majority are goal oriented. Do they have some classmates who are starting to get into drugs, having sex too early, etc? Yeah, they do. They also talk about how those kids are stupid for doing those things. They are also way more into community service than my generation was. I don't ever recall, outside of Girl Scouts, doing any kind of service projects. These kids do them a lot, in school, for various activities and even on their own.

I never said all. How am I painting a whole generation of children? I'm just voicing my opinion. Some of the things I mentioned turned out to be facts. I don't disagree with you at all. There are still some very good children today, but I'm just saying it's far worse than it's ever been.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by 33girl

That's because there are about 80 ookabillion stations that have cartoons on 24/7, who cares about the 4 networks showing whatever? Kids have so much these days and don't realize it. Don't get me started on how food packaging is being changed to appeal to kids (and I don't just mean Frosted Flakes either, I mean main dishes) to the point that you feel dumb if you're a grownup buying it.

There was a poster on here one time saying that our society doesn't do enough to cater to children - I honestly wonder what the hell America she was living in, because my experience is the opposite.

And that's another part of the problem.

Yeah, but now there's "Adult Swim." See what I mean?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

Yeah, but now there's "Adult Swim." See what I mean?

No, I don't. Cartoons geared to adults have been around for years (the Flintstones was originally shown in prime time and for adults).

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by moe.ron

It's because they didn't get to watch GI Joe.

and knowing is 1/2 the battle

Originally Posted by 33girl

No, I don't. Cartoons geared to adults have been around for years (the Flintstones was originally shown in prime time and for adults).

and that in itself is the problem..people think that just because it's animated, it's for kids...

did anyone ever really pay attention to the underlying message in the South Park movie?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I never said all. How am I painting a whole generation of children?

By speaking in such broad general terms -- things such as titles asking "What's wrong with our youth," as though something's wrong with all of them.

Kids! What's that matter with all these kids today?!

There are still some very good children today, but I'm just saying it's far worse than it's ever been.

Now there's an awfully broad brush -- "it's far worse than it's ever been." Sure about that? I'm not at all.

I do, however, think that we hear a lot more about some things than we ever did, given that we now have news 24/7 on TV and the web. I'm not convinced that it's that much more prevelant now than it ever has been in history.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

and knowing is 1/2 the battle



and that in itself is the problem..people think that just because it's animated, it's for kids...

did anyone ever really pay attention to the underlying message in the South Park movie?

This is getting off onto the wrong tangent.

I guess I should have said there is more children's PROGRAMMING in general, animated and live action. They don't have to wait for the 2 hours a day of Sesame St - Mr Rogers - Electric Company and cartoons from 8-noon on Saturday only. There is kid-friendly entertainment for all ages readily available all the time.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by 33girl

No, I don't. Cartoons geared to adults have been around for years (the Flintstones was originally shown in prime time and for adults).

And the Simpsons and Family Guy aren't children's cartoons, either. Plus, anyone remember the GREAT cartoon movie Heavy Metal?


Not to mention many of the images in the children's cartoons that WERE geared toward children back then and now. There aren't just ponies in pastures.

[DArtist]

It goes beyond the "entertainment factor" that many of the children has been introduced to. Interaction with today's youth seem almost taboo. To know what they want and need means getting involved in their lives, asking questions, and spending time with them. Not letting them plop down in front of a t.v. and that's it.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

did anyone ever really pay attention to the underlying message in the South Park movie?

Of course!!! Blame Canada!!! South Park isn't for kids. LOL.

Oh yeah...my answer to this thread is still Greek Chat.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS

Of course!!! Blame Canada!!! South Park isn't for kids. LOL.

Oh yeah...my answer to this thread is still Greek Chat.

and you are a corrupting factor...LOL !!


(I ain't gonna lie...I AM a bad influence...heheheheh)

[ilovemyglo]

My momma whooped my butt when I misbehaved- I turned into a productive member of society... she whooped my brothers as well and they both are engineers and doing great-
My fiance and his three siblings got their butts whoooped- they are all doing well. My closest friends, same thing....

Coincidence? We didn't shoot up schools, have out marriage children, get in fist fights or become destructive. We all went to college, have jobs, pay taxes and live good moral lives.

I think we need to spank more.
Personal opinions.