Do you think that the youth of today can distinguish fact from fiction?

Question

Apologies to those who answered this previously I deleted the first posting by mistake...sorry

Many spend the best part of their waking day staring at games of fantasy and make believe that I think that they act out this fantasy in eveyday life.

Those who say they can tell fact from fiction perhaps you can tell us why so many youths think that shooting someone dead is all a game...fantasy in fact?

Dani it's good to hear from someone of your age and I commend you for standing up for yourself.

I would agree that not all youth should be tarred with the same brush. But and this is big but do you not think that folk are right at getting a little sick and tired of some of the youth culture today.

Where many have no self respect and none for other people. Many appear to live in cloud cuckoo land and do not know fact from fiction and play this out in their everyday lives.

I'm not saying where the fault lays, but most know that killing someone is out of bounds and most also know that it is un acceptable what every age.

I have grandchildren of my own who thankfully have been paid a lot of love and attention . Perhaps this is the problem with those who cannot separate fact from fiction because they live on world of make believe to help them get through a torrid life of neglect and ignorance.

You tell us what you think the problem is and we will listen.

Thank you

Answer 1

50 years ago, was this same question asked? I would take a leap and guess the answers were similar to what you receive today

Answer 2

Sorry, but I take offense at this question. I'm sixteen years old. I'm sure that some, perhaps many, teens my age do act immaturely. But there's plenty of us that CAN differentiate between fact and fiction. You should not blame all of today's youth for the rash actions of a few.

And yes, I know, shooting someone is not a game. Someone that dies of gunshot wounds is not something to be taken lightly. But just because one or a few young adults choose to murder does not mean that we're all bad. If I was to go with your reasoning, then I should assume that because Hitler was German, all Germans are horrible people who should be avoided at all costs. A black man that lives a few houses down from my home has attempted to sell drugs to teens. Therefore, all blacks are drug-dealing scum. This supposed logic makes no sense!

You cannot assume anything about a group of people without knowing every individual in that group. When you know every single person of my generation, then you can start to make generalized statements about us.

I'm sorry if you think that I'm taking this too hard. But I hate when people try to judge others based on the actions of one person. I'm just trying to stand up for myself and those I represent.

Edit: I appreciate your response to my answer. I can understand that many adults are fed up with today's youth - why shouldn't they be? From what I've heard and read, it's always been this way - teens are the rebels, the "bad" generation that adults are disgusted with.
And yes, it's true, many people have no respect for others. But I do have to say that disrespect is not only present in teens. There are many adults out there as well that don't show respect for others.
As to what I think the problem is... I really can't say. I can only speak for myself. I'm a lucky girl - I'm very close to my family, and they provide the best for me without spoiling me. I live in a (mostly) nice town. My family, teachers at school, and other adults I interact with, have taught, and continue to teach, lessons, morals, and values that they feel I need to know. I only know my own life. I couldn't begin to describe the lives of others, because I am not the one experiencing what they go through every day, so I cannot tell you what a "problem" with them might be, if one exists. I hope you understand (and it seems like you do).

Answer 3

I think the world has gone topsy turvy now. You only need to go on the xbox to know that. or on the internet. No moral considerations. How do kids get knives? Get guns ,? When the legal limits are 18. It goes to show. I sometimes see these kids who actually think that playing computer games with a lot of violence is good. They say it in as if the more spatter and gore the better. But society is bad these days anyway. Makes me wonder though who the role models for these kids are. How come theyre not told what is right from wrong?

Answer 4

I think that technology has made it easier for our youth to put off dealing with reality for as long as possible. And I see many families who have intended to make the lives of their children better than their childhood was. I think that is a double edged sword. I think that this generation of parents are making it too easy on their kids, and are giving them things, rather than teaching them values. I see people who believe that anything can be bought. Fine, but when it comes time for those kids to be on their own, will they be able to survive? I work with people who are the children of wealthy families, and live beyond they means, because even though they have good paying jobs, they are still dependent on their parents. And those parents give them the funding to buy luxury vehicles, sky-rise condominiums, and other luxuries. I see an overlapping of spoiled generations. So there is no need to wonder "how can so-and-so afford such and such" any longer. And these are the turds who will run for offices to run the government. Sorry for the rambling, but to finally answer your question, no I do not, because of those who get bailed out by the wealth of their families, and they never learn to live in the real world.

Answer 5

I just love questions that say 'the youth of today!' Do you really think they are so much worse than when we were teenagers? I know we have had some very high profile, shocking events happening recently. But the vast majority of young people are struggling with the same issues we have all struggled with; becoming an adult, working out where they fit into the world, who they are, etc. The real scandal is how on earth they get hold of these guns in the first place, who is supplying fifteen year olds with guns??

Answer 6

honestly i dont think most of them can. mainly because most of todays youth with the exception of some only are conserned about whats going on around them and if there not interested in the subject they really dont know much. There is a percent of the youth that is well informed with there surroundings that they could distinguish between fact from fiction.

Answer 7

No they really can't and forums like these contribute to that. There is a person going around this forum. In one section, she is 12 and a pregnant victim of rape by a family member, in another she is a blind actress who has starred in 3 plays, In yet another she is an author who has just sold a novel. Who knows what she is in other sections?? People come here and actually try to give genuine honest help, but then you get deceived by these children who don't even have a concept of what reality is. They just want attention and they will say and do anything to get it. It is very very sad. Pax - C

Answer 8

Today's kids have no work ethic. They think that they should be entertained for 24 hours a day so they can't distinguish fact from fiction. Look how many have avatars claiming to be a famous person or character.

Answer 9

Hi I just happen to be 1 of the youths your talking about here. I can tell the difference fine, and I'm betting my fellow 'youths' would agree with me. It's just fiction is more fun then reality

Answer 10

Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How dare you ask a question as patronising

sorry.....


but teenagers can tell the difference, they are not mentally retarded. Some are simply uneducated, and haven't been taught the value of life.
Rappers, who are often teenagers idols in the inner cities, idolise guns etc and this- to some extent- encourages this type of behaivour.

It's not simply a case of teenagers not understanding reality... if thats even possible.