My generation is unlike any other, we are masters of technology, going to college and trying to navigate through life in general. We are in our late teens, early twenties and on the brink of adulthood. But upon entering college and suddenly being surrounded by peers, more than I ever have before, I have made some less flattering observations.
We are entitled, and, quite frankly, I don't think it's part of the 'normal young adult experience.' I think we, as a whole, are crippled, and when I glance at the generation below mine, they are worse off.
It is not uncommon to go out to dinner with my friends, and if we don't watch it, everyone will be on their phones instead of engaging with one another. My generation is becoming harder and harder to find in churches and volunteering at community centers. We are becoming obsessed with our phones, computers, Snapchat, Facebook and, if we are honest, ourselves. The last week that I was in college, a student spoke up to a professor and told them "F*** you" and got up and walked out.
When I look at it, in the most removed way that I can, I have to ask myself 'how did we get here?'
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I think we have been lead here. Don't get me wrong, it isn't one specific person's fault. It not the fault of our parents, educators or churches. The problem that my generation is having is society's fault. BEFORE YOU GET UPSET listen to my thoughts.
As I was in the class where the student disrespected the teacher, I started listening to the kids around me. They were saying things along the lines of "he has every right to express how he feels" "he paid for this class, the teacher works for him" and so on and so forth. Society, and media, tells kids my age "you are special and unique" and overall, "the world owes you something." We are lead to believe that "you deserve it," even when we don't.
It happens every day. Teachers get blamed for a young adult's grades, cars are wrecked when kids are texting and no one bats an eye and more and more kids think church is just a waste of time. We are starting to accept unacceptable behavior, but where does it start?
As I looked through my facebook feed at the end of the school year, I saw it. A mom that was angry at the school system for taking away the awards day at the elementary school. I have attended some of these very same award ceremonies, while I was in school and during my brother's elementary school experience. As the years go on, more and more awards are given. Now, almost every child gets an award.
Now, on the surface, this sounds like a good thing.
However, if you condition a kid to receive an award when they have done nothing to earn it, they grow to be teenagers who expect to be given grades when they haven't earned them. Those same teenagers are the ones that grow up and tell professors "screw you, I didn't turn that assignment in on time but I DESERVE an extension because I am special." Those same young adults call in sick to work because they "don't feel like going." Those adults will not be successful.
The real world doesn't reward people who lack ambition, and my generation (and the ones following) is struggling with that idea. College (and the real world) is kicking our butts.
Don't get me wrong there, there are good kids out there. There were students in that lecture that were appalled and outraged. Not all kids were given participation trophies and patted on the back when they failed. The children that were raised earning their pats on the back are succeeding. They are doing well in school, they are thankful and dependable. They understand that getting what they want, comes at a cost.
However, I am worried for the future. Those kids are becoming harder and hard to find.
