Does it seem that teenagers in this forum...?

Question

Does it seem that teenagers on this forum have very strong opinions. Many seem to be closed minded and racist and think they actually know something, when they probably never have read a book in their lives. I doubt that I was unique when I was 17. I realized then, as today, I don't know very much and and need to read everything I can in order to make up a valid opinion. How can teenagers know so much when they spend so much time playing video games rather than reading. This gets frustrating when I put so much effort into answering and get 14 "thumbs down" because I don't agree with what they believe to be true about the subject being debated.

I once taught Holocaust studies and ran into the same problem. The 16 year olds had very strong opinions with no facts to back them up. I figured that they had heard these things from someone else and just adopted them as their own.

What do you think? Thanks

Although it may seem that I am stereotyping teenagers as a whole, I don't mean to. I know that there are teens that are not included in my diatribe, but I believe they are in the minority. Most of you answered my question.with an arrogance never seen before. It's not arrogance if you can back it up, but since you haven't done anything with your lives yet, I doubt that you can.

Answer 1

As I am a teenager (in the end few years of this stage), I am somewhat offended by this statement. But I will not react with hatred, because I agree in large part.

I find it irksome when I see all the closeminded, judgemental, and immature statements on this site and even in school. I rarely play video games. I spend most of my time on the computer learning-not chatting or playing games. I enjoy reading--used to read constantly, but currently have too much schoolwork. I "thumbs down" answers that are rude or wrong (not in my opinion, but because facts prove them wrong). I understand that people can have different opinions than me--so if they support their ideas well, it is fine. I agree with you in this.

However, you must not limit your accusations to teenagers. Many adults are just as immature and unintelligent as the kids you are targeting. Often, a person who is this way will be this way forever.

I think much of what most people believe is not their own ideas. They just adopt other peoples' ideas as their own and as fact even if they are not proved. I think it's sad. Can you change the world?

Answer 2

Yes there are some trolls, however, look at statistics, there aren't just a lot of pregnant teenagers in the forum, there are a lot of pregnant teenagers in this country. Children seem to be starting and doing things earlier and earlier. They know and see things so much earlier than I did at a child and I am only 25. I didn't have sex until I was almost 19 and I married him (we are now divorced). Thinking back I think that not only did I have sex too young, but definitely got married too young. I am hoping that maybe through some of what I went through I can teach my daughter to make better decisions. (she is not even 2 now) It is incredibly sad how many young girls (13, 14, 15) are on here wanting to get married and have babies.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to say I must disagree with you. I am 16 years old. Yes it is true that reading books and studying makes you smarter but you only really gain book smarts. When the teens in your class made such strong points they didn'y copy them from someone else's ideas they just expressed how they felt about the topic by using their minds and empathizing for the people that suffered the halocaust. Just because someone doesn't read books does not mean they cannot have strong thoughts and ideas. Being a teen has more advanteages then some people may think. At that age our minds are still being formed and we cherish our own opinions because it's what we stand by and what we live by. Because we are still kids and just looked at as kids we have to use our opinions just to survive in your world. You say we are close minded I believe you are the close minded one you have taken us in as a stereotype you live by what other people have branded us as. Racist, lazy, know it alls, closed minded. You just lumped us all together into catergories that may not fit every teen. For example I am not racist i have friends of many different cultures, I am not lazy I make the honor roll and I am getting a job soon, I am not closed minded. I am the type of person that will listen to what you have to say if your the most popular person in school or the biggest reject to stroll the halls. We also educate you even though you are the teacher you observe us more then we observe you. This all just came from my mind I did not copy what somone else said now or in any form of text. I hope you will not just give me a thumbs down because I challenged your opinion of me and my fellow teen peers.

Answer 4

you should assume any thing because it makes you look like a ***. I'm 18 and ive gotten best answers for alot of things tyt have to do with real life issues and view on racism and sexuality or any other form of discrimination against people in general. I live in California Sacramento and to be honest with you the high school I went to was and still is one of the most culteraly diverse schools in Sacramento. There were alot of different people with very differnt lifestyles and I respected everyones opinion even if it was completly the opposite of my own.ive read plenty of books an graduated with decent grades my senior year with complete a electives such as psychology. I took colledge prep classes and yes I do play some video games as well as read books. I like art my friends know that and they come to me for advice on anything. They get homework help from me because I understand it. I was at the top of my government and English class from teachers who used to be professors at colleges.

And as for the holocaust project, we discussed why it was wrong and what we would have done to stop it. Not one negative or racist comment was made. Not one.

So in my opinion, I think you sould take a better look at your question and restate that statment where you said all teenagers are close minded and play video games because it is you who is a bit close minded to even think that.

But this I'd you opinion and I respect that but next time get some facts straight: all is used for everyone and some is used for a very few. You can say that most play video games and hardly read books.

Answer 5

Hogwash. Not all teenagers play video-games. Some enjoy spending time with family, reading books, TV, etc.. I am one of the few that actually reads a newspaper, or goes to Yahoo! News. I like to be updated, I like to know whats going on in this world that I'm living in. I know other people have opinions and I understand that, I can't always be right. If I have an opinion I make sure I have arguments and sources to back it up. Always.

Answer 6

I agree, although why is this question in this section?
(Oh, never mind, I see it's *about* the section.)

I have run into a similar thing (in other forums) where I put a lot of thought and effort into an answer, and then get lots of thumbs down because it's a non-conformist viewpoint. I know exactly what you mean, it's frustrating.

What I do, is I count the thumbs ups! Then I realize, even though there are a lot of _____s out there, there are also people who can recognize good common sense and who liked what I said!

Answer 7

Aren't you doing the same now ( giving your opinion on what you believe about teenagers opinions ), your condemning and blaming them for what they believe in, whether or not they are right or not, they still have the right to their own opinions and if they don't match yours then so be it, and if you get thumbs down then look at the positive side of it, at least your answers were read and noted.

Answer 8

I"ve seen this on occassion myself..I have read some very good answers from teenagers...and yet I have read some answers from teens that are biased as to the question or debated topic.

Sometimes, some teens give the appearance that all they want is for everyone to agree to their opinions.

As adults, we know it took us a very long time to get to where we are today and that opinions should be respected regardless if you agree or disagree with them.

I'm prepared to receive thumbs down...

Answer 9

yes, it is true that many people do make opinions without having valid facts to back them up. And I am with you, I do find that very annoying. If you are going to have strong opinions and comments about something, you should have information on whatever you are commenting on. Although some things are just pure opinion caused my narrow mindedness and they feel that they know what they are talking about because they don't care. Wrong, but unfortantely true...just try to ignore the ignorant, and thrive on the fact that their are people out there who have intelligent opinions and informative comments.!

Answer 10

Don't you think it's rather ignorant to assume that all these internet fools are automatically teenagers? Why is that age has anything do with intelligence? It has to do with wisdom, sure, but even then teenagers can apply themselves to the level that many adults are at.

Sure, there are some teenagers who are jerks and fools, but there are just as many adults out there who are too. I really don't understand the racist comment, the younger generation tends to be better with that sort of thing then the older ones really.

PS, not gonna thumb down anyone. Adults are know-it-alls too apperently.