Younger Generations

Older generations always complain about the young generation. Your music is too loud. You dress too provocatively. While this may all be true, let's not forget, it's the older generation that raised the younger generation. It's the values of the baby boomers that got passed down to Gen Y. So really, how can you blame the younger generations for not turning out they way you wanted them to when really, you were a major influence?

I admit, seeing ten year olds dress in skimpy clothing makes me cringe. It's just sad to see that innocence be tainted so soon. But grossness aside, can we really blame them entirely? I mean yes, it was their choice to wake up and wear a short skirt that almost reveals their underwear, but who bought them that skirt? They're ten. Of course it was their parents.

But i don't blame the parents. No I don't. If my child nagged me for four weeks straight, i'd buy them a short skirt to shut them up too. No, i blame the media. Yes you, Hollywood. Every day the media feeds us warped notions of beauty that distort our perceptions of reality and true beauty. And despite the obvious negative effects (e.g. anorexia, bulimia, depression, bullying, and scary ten year olds dressing like they're hookers), we continue to consume this steady diet of advertisements, movies, and gossip magazines. But it is pretty hard to look away when the media pretty much shoves ideas in your face 24/7. If you check out the schools, it seems like five year olds are better at applying makeup than spelling it. After all, there's no such thing as Professor Barbie.

So really, there's no point telling off the younger generation. If stereotypes have taught me anything, it's that kids won't listen to you any way. So don't waste your spit. If you're really angry about how the younger generations have turned out, look to the older generations. Ask them, what have you done with true virtues and values? Look to the capitalists and ask, why have you turned us into a bunch of mannequins that get molded and shaped by your representations and definitions?

But not all hope is lost. The older generation has done a good job. I was on the bus today and it was extremely packed. It was early in morning and every one was still groggy from just waking up. We reached a stop in front of a retirement home and about 7 grannies got on. Almost instantly, 10 seated passengers at the front got up, and stood at the back. No complaints, they weren't even asked to move, they just did so out of the goodness of their hearts. I just watched the older generation pass down some good values.

Teach by doing, and if needed, use words.