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

[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.

[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.

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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?!

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.

Thank you for answering in my absence. You have said it all perfectly!

[Glitter650]

I don't think violence is any more "common" now than before, but I do think parents don't hold their kids accountable anymore.
I mean I was reading an article about the cheerleader beating and the parents of the beaters make it sound like it was no big deal. I believe even one of the parent's said "if she was shoved so hard into the wall, why didn't she leave a dent in it ?!!!!" I mean

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

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?!

I think it was a great title for the thread, because I totally think kids are out of control now. I see it all the time when I go grocery shopping.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I think it was a great title for the thread, because I totally think kids are out of control now. I see it all the time when I go grocery shopping.

So do I. My point is that people 50 years ago said pretty much the same thing. Adults throughout history have said the same thing.

BTW, I also see lots and lots of kids who are well-behaved and off to a good start being good citizens. So I think that the blanket statement "What's wrong with our youth" is way too hyperbolic.

Besides, the only thing wrong with my youth is that it's 30 years in the past.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

So do I. My point is that people 50 years ago said pretty much the same thing. Adults throughout history have said the same thing.

BTW, I also see lots and lots of kids who are well-behaved and off to a good start being good citizens. So I think that the blanket statement "What's wrong with our youth" is way too hyperbolic.

Besides, the only thing wrong with my youth is that it's 30 years in the past.

MC I agree with you, but 50 years ago kids weren't bringing guns to school. A knife or a blade maybe, but not guns. School shootings depend on access to guns. Mass murders tend not to happen in school or anywhere else when knives or blades are the only weapons available. It's the increase in firearms that has coincided with the recent string of school shootings. The number of guns in the U.S. has doubled since around the 70s but has pretty much been stable since the late 80s. But the access to guns is spreading rapidly and the increase has actually been fueled by people who are already gun owners acquiring additional firearems.

Yes there are kids that are starting off to a good start. I don't disagree here.