Kids these days are lazy. Kids these days are whiny. Kids these days don’t know the value of hard work. Kids these days are dependent on technology. Kids these days are snowflakes. Kids these days won’t make it in the real world.
This is the rhetoric that we hear in the mainstream media about kids these days. While some of it may be true to varying degrees, I want to posit an opposite opinion. Kids these days are creative. Kids these days are emotionally intelligent. Kids these days are tolerant. Kids these days are strong. Kids these days are innovative. Kids these days will use technology to build a better future.
These statements aren’t wholly true for that generation either, but these descriptors are hopeful and optimistic. My actual belief is that you can’t make overarching statements about kids these days. But if all the kids hear is that they’re bad, and that they’re weak, and that they’re stupid, that’s going to turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. If kids are constantly told that they’re weaker than their parents, that they don’t have what it takes to make it in the real world, and that they’re lazy and emotional, they will become just that.
I believe that there are many children in America and in the world that are sitting on a vat of great, untapped potential. They need our help to foster and grow this potential. Without support, that potential can be squandered. I’m not saying that we need to baby our children and protect them from failure or dissenting opinions, but I do believe that you have to give credit where credit is due.
If kids these days are able to defy the negative descriptors of their generation, everyone benefits. We want our future leaders to be strong and capable, so why do we spend so much time and energy tearing them down? If we put half of that energy into building them up and teaching them how to be great and fair leaders, think of how bright the future could be. Next time you are about to share that article on Facebook about how kids these days are the weakest generation, remember the young eyes on your timeline. Take some time to encourage the children in your life; our future is dependent on them.
- Bria