Teenagers need to be disciplined. They need to be told what to do every moment of their lives and reprimanded harshly when they step out of line in the slightest. They cannot be allowed to think for themselves, because they don’t know enough about the world around them to do so. We should give them what they want to keep them happy, and leave it up to them when to come talk to us adults. Teenagers like to be left alone.
This is how many adults view teenagers. Often they fear them, despise them, view them as a nuisance, or are satisfied that they will never understand them. This is hurting them.
As someone who has, until a few years ago been a teenager myself, who has several younger teen siblings, and someone who is a youth intern at my church, I know this. Teenagers do not want to be left alone. They want security, to know that someone cares for them. They need to know that more than just their 15-year-old buddies have their backs.
There remains a great divide between the adult world and teens, however, which can only be bridged by caring adults. We need to meet teenagers on their level, treating them like adults but expecting them to still act like children in many regards. We need to challenge them to think more broadly and treat them with Just consequences, but not too harshly. Above all, we need to be prepared to listen.
When we start listening to the youth, they will start listening to us. Don’t hate the youth or alienate them. They will be tomorrow’s teachers, doctors, mothers and fathers. If we haven’t taken the time to lovingly instruct them, then we are simply raising a generation headed for disaster. Bridge the divide and step across.
I do not disagree with this post entirely. It is an ideal that will probably never be met however. Adults are not the only variable in this equation. Teenagers can be assholes, especially ones in their early teens. Teenagers are often carry a nasty attitude and do not respond well to being grilled with questions. These can be reasons for adults to give up, even if they shouldn’t. The challenge is to really find a way to communicate effectively, and find a bridge in the age difference.
ReplyDeleteThe title of this post relates to the generation raising itself. My question is, is it only our generation? Are we really the first group of teens to not be handled correctly? My mom for instance tells me stories about when she was a child. My grandparents went on vacation constantly, leaving the kids home alone. They took hardly any interest in their lives, and, as most parents did at the time, drank quite frequently. They only motivation was to not get in trouble, which was apparently made quite easy because my grandparents were so clueless. In my opinion, our generation is experiencing a more hands-on approach as a whole. I would argue that we are actually the generation not raising itself.
The political history of the Middle Ages is filled with stories instigated by 14-19 year old teenagers. Same angst and drama as you see in any high school, but writ large across feudal territories, and writ in peasant levee blood.
ReplyDeleteRomeo & Juliette, anyone?