The youth of of USA.....is so misguided by TV, Music and Internet Blogs....?

Question

that they will reach the critical cynical/dumb level at fastest rate in history.. Imagine these kids whom hate Bush so much, but have no idea who or what LBJ was or did. Some of them have no understanding what D-Day was, or realize what self-reliance is. I think we are in for a train wreck with the apathy of our youth, coupled with the dumb things that we, the baby boomers have done.

I am sooo impressed by every answer I have recieved! like I asked the perfect question! Nobody insulted me,a and it will be difficult choosing the best. What we all have proven, is that times are gonna be real chanelleging for "our" youth, and lets give them the support us old folks can.

Answer 1

u packed quite a lot into that one. i do agree that because of the excessive exposure to media and information the younger generations(post gen x'ers) are more likely to be cynical and self centered. Dumb well i don't think so. Look at the school curriculums if you want to blame why so many young people don't know their countries history. It has become test centered, they teach to the test, they stress learning as much as possible in the least amount of time. So instead of really understanding our history we memorize names and dates but don't really know what they mean.
As far as apathy well with the way power and money have been so divided in this country the american dream, "has become home ownership" when it used to be "that working hard you could have anything". Our society is so stratified having that kind of success is next to impossible. So the youth haveing nothing to strive for, and really with all the pressure from society they don't even get the chance to dream. You are pressured to know what u want to be, you don't enjoy the pursuit of your future u are forced into it, and so the youth find empty pleasures such as drugs, sex, and trendy clothes, and tv to make them happy.

Self reliance is difficult in a society that won't let you do anything without your parents. You can't get a loan, or finance a car, without credit, u can't get credit without haveing credit already or getting someone else with credit to co-sign. You can't get loans for college without parents. The system is set up to not let you move without someone else.
I am from a poor background, i have worked since the age of 13. i have saved my money, bought my cars, and am working through college. i live on my own and have for several years, yet because i am 22, i am still not an adult according to the government. so when i file for financial aid at school they require my mothers information. until i am 24 i am not considered an adult, even though i completly support myself.

Do i completely disagree with you, on the corruption of society, no. but it is not just the youth. the corruption has to start somewhere and that is with the parents and the government. I do think that young people are too wrapped up in nonsense like what clothes to wear, and the latest hit song. but i don't think that makes them dumb, i don't think they have been given the freedom to make their own decisions as your generation did. So they are uncertain, u call it apathetic. I think society has become to obsessed with sex, and the focus on it in public life, and in media, yet not honestly discussing it in our own homes will be the downfall of our society. Sorry this was so long. Please have faith in the young people, we are learning to cope in this fast changing world just as you are.

Answer 2

I agree and disagree.

First thing I agree with is the kids of today are misguided in some of there bigotries. Going along with the crowed is much bigger these days then it was say 30 years ago.

The thing I disagree with is the dumb statement. Kids of today have a understanding of such things as getting on the www and finding out anything they need to. What they do with the information is debateable.....

Todays society is not a small little box as it once was. Hence the apathy I agree with. Kids of today have lost this trait, which needs to be taught more at home as well as in our schools.

Baby Boomer's did do many dumb things this is a no brainer, however without the baby boomer's many of the technology of today would not be as it is.

It is scary to think of what the world will be like a hundred years from now? or even fifty years from now......I think everything travels in a circle and getting back to family values is slowly coming back......

OK off to non serious stuff ........lol

Answer 3

I agree, a lot of American youth is this way. But I think you're worrying too much about it.

This country has long been populated by undereducated idiots who can't point out anything on a map. They are not even smart enough to know where they are.

But there is an alternative society that is far from the popular culture, hidden from the press, and mostly ignored by society. They are the kids at Phillips Exeter, Hotchkiss, and other elite private schools.

They'll graduate and go on to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, get graduate degrees, and assume positions of power, as they have always done.

And thus the sheep will be led; unknowing, unwitting, barely capable of conscious thought. The American Dream.

Answer 4

Okay, here is an answer from a "youth". I'm 15 (a youth in your eyes), and yeah ... I've taken history class and I do watch the news. Most kids in my high school really don't care about Bush at our age. We really just care about our ipods and Abercrombie and Hollister. If you hear some teen saying "Oh I hate Bush" ... why does it matter to you? We can't vote so it's not gonna effect YOU or Bush is it?

LBJ? I guess your talking about Lyndon Johnson. Oaky Lyndon Johnson ... yeah he was president way back in the 60s I think. That was the then ... this is now, and I honestly don't care that much about what he did. Why should I care? He's dead.

Myself and my friends know what D-day is. But I really don't enjoy dicussing D-day and having major political debates with my friends on a daily basis.

Right now I'm studying hard at school so I can get into North Carolina State, or Duke. I want to become a pediatrician or a pharmacist, maybe even go into dental. But hey, thanks for telling my what a trainwreck of a generation myself and my friends are, it really makes me look forward to growing up. :-)

Answer 5

I think you're looking at all American youth with a decidedly negative attitude, and your'e stereotyping. As a teacher, I see all kinds. I see some who are, as you say, too involved in the illusion of the world and not learning comprehensively, not dealing with the real issues of our communities.

But I also see intelligent, motivated, well-bred youth who are the top of their class, willing to learn, doing the best they can and getting into some very good schools. There are all kinds.

Let me ask you this: what are you doing about what you complain, other than carp or grouse? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Get involved. Tutor. Mentor. Be a Scout Leader. Get your teaching certificate. Volunteer to chaperone a sports event, or sponsor a chess club, history society, something of that sort. I challenge you to lead by attaining greater heights than you already have.

Maybe you can write a book on history, or do some web pages to help make history more appealing to today's tech-oriented youth. Refer to books which they can read. Provide links to other history web sites. Design video and film which teaches history. You can do this, and make a positive difference in our youth today.

Answer 6

Thank you! I may be one of the young ones, but I will NEVER forget those things. I am really into history. On D-day, we have a BBQ and remember those brave soldiers who died for the freedom of others, not just their own.

A few years after 9/11 happened, I was still in high school. My art teacher gave a three day assignment to make war protest signs to have a protest in the parking lot across from the school. I refused. I was failed for three days because of that. BUT it was well worth it. It even got me kicked out of the Art Honor Society. lol

Answer 7

I agree, television is having to much of an impact on the lives of young people in society.

Answer 8

No matter what-- KIDS are still our future.....

I heard same story--rock and roll going to destroy this contry
back in '50 and '60.

Government done more destruction....than music..

Answer 9

Yes, agree. They are not more misguided than their parents, thought, maybe even less.

Answer 10

I think you might be a little cynical yourself. It might be time to renew your AARP membership.