Why do some adults feel the need to make young people feel worse about themselves?

Question

I am quite shocked at the number of supposed adults who are prepared to issue judgmental, ill-considered opinions to the young people asking genuine and difficult questions on internet forums.

If these young people had significant adults in their lives they felt they could turn to, they would not be on here asking questions? Is it helpful to make them feel even worse about themselves?

I wish adults could be a little more grown-up when it matters.

For the record, I am 38.

Answer 1

I agree with you 110%.... I think we (adults) have a tendency to forget that we had the same questions at one time. Maybe we expect too much because they're the size of adults. I cringe when I see or hear the term "ignorant adolescents" because yes, they are "ignorant" simply because they haven't learned things yet. It's OUR job to fill those young minds with information giving the same respect and patience we would like. I have to admit, that I do sometimes think "that's got to be a kid asking this"....... but I try and catch myself because I DO remember being put down by so-called adults, and it can be emotionally painful. Kids of all ages deserve just as much respect as that adult customer / boss / stranger that doesn't "really" matter !

Answer 2

Maturity knows no age. The need to straight forwardly let someone know the 'real deal' isn't limited from adults to children. Too many so called adults need a series of swift kicks to overcome the shameful lack of accountability, responsibility & recognize the errors of thinking stupidly & acting even dumber! Considering the number of 'adults' in need of close supervision, there's little question that the incompetence of children & adolescents, of all ages, need much, much more! People feeling worse about themselves as a result of unbiased, unsweetened information is perpetuated by whinny, self-centered, weak & unchallenged minds ready to cry the blues. Cry when confronted by reality? Break my achey friggin heart.
For the record, I'm 56 & thouroughly exhausted of your mamby-pamby sissy political correctness! Real grownups don't need it, don't want it & KNOW the adverse effects of coddling. Toughen up! It'll get better when YOU get better!

Answer 3

I think maybe they have something as far as some insecurities or something that may trigger past thoughts. Usually when that happens, it can be a defense for them or lets them think they have a way of being protective. However, for the younger people....It could very well seem that they are putting them down. (Even if in some cases that adult truly is putting them down just to be an ******, I think that the older generation should know better)

Answer 4

I think Frank or David said it best "Some people get their kicks stomping on a dream".

but I think some people are some insecure in their own beliefs that any challenge to them, they're knee jerks and hit them in the head and the attack. It is really a shame, we could do with a lot more calm discussion of ideas.

Answer 5

Some of the adults out here are more immature than the teens who ask those questions:(

Answer 6

Many of us have been programmed by adults in our lives previously to hand out guilt and shame as a form of learning. It's nice to see that you are not one of those people. Neither am I, and I fight it each day... (I'm 34)

Answer 7

they put ppl down because they have no self-respect. Also they are pissed because the 16 year olds are gettin more than they had in the past three decades! LOL, I am 25 by the way.

Answer 8

Misery loves company

Answer 9

well, it all goes back to parenting, my mother had a terrible childhood and so did i and as far as i know so did her mother, so if people are giving ugly and ignorant advice to children concider the source, this is the internet and there are probably more bad people than good here anyway.....

Answer 10

Some people are just jerks. They can be anonymous on the internet which, in their perspective, gives them the right to be rude.