posted on Wednesday, September 12, 2018
What's Wrong With Young People Today?
Maybe you’ve heard this one: “The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.”
Sound familiar? Well, it’s said to be written by Socrates in 400 something B.C. I cannot verify it’s origin, but point taken.
It’s easy to jump on the bandwagon and get down on kids. Yes, times have changed. We can look at how kids don’t seem to buy into values like work ethic, punctuality, and respect. We can even say they are self-centered with a sense of entitlement. When we look at the statement by Socrates written so long ago, what has really changed?
As a teacher, I would invite adults to visit our classroom on any given day, unannounced, so they could see outstanding behavior by young people. Not a single adult ever came to observe. When I speak to students from different districts across Iowa, I wish people could see what I see. When I talk with young people about their values and what it takes to reach their goals, they get it.
The following is just one example of what kids can do, given the opportunity. We had one of our classes write a creed that would serve as a reminder and govern behavior in our class during that trimester. This is what they came up with:
{"Our mission is to set an example of good character unlike any other class.
Our goals are –
1. To provide a friendly class environment
2. To speak freely and voice opinions
3. To respect others opinions
4. To disagree respectfully
5. To have the integrity to do what’s right
6. To be role models for others
We know at times we will encounter challenges and adversity. We pledge to persevere."}
Wow, wouldn’t it be refreshing if our adult leadership could all model this behavior?
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6
Your Challenge
Try not to join in on bad-mouthing young people. Keep in mind that the vast majority of young people are good kids. Challenges with the young go back to 400 something B.C. and they will continue to be part of the growth process going forward.
Respectfully,
Al Kerns & the Ed Thomas Family Foundation