So perhaps you will be reading the article title and wondering why I have decided to write about the youth of today; when I am merely sixteen years old. It is simple. When I was in school, I would sit and analyse different people's lives and think, "Wow, I really wish I was a 70's child." Let's think about this properly.
In the 1970's, a typical American child would live to see all sorts of new technology breaking out into the industries. The introduction of huge industries, such as: Apple and Microsoft were founded by very intellectual people. Naturally, after this, children became very addicted to the electronic games that were available. heck, even I remember owning my first Playstation Console, and being obsessed with all the classical games. But, this is not all beneficial. Ever since the 70's, there have been more obesity numbers worldwide, meaning that children are no longer going out to kick a football around, or pushing toy prams about. Yes, you get the occasional child that is not accessible to the electronic games and so will play with the more conventional toys. However, I would go as far to say that more than half of the world's population of children will play on these games. With all this taken into account, I still think the 70's was a far more safer society than these days.
In school these days, from my analytical research, I notice that most people are stereotyped and bullied for their image. If there's one thing worse than one bully, it is two bullies. When I was younger, I was bullied. People would taunt me with the way I look, so I seeked to change that. Soon after, my facial features had undergone a difference; I now wore make-up, had a very unique hairstyle that people complimented and I also lost a significant amount of weight. It was only the other day that I asked myself, "And for what?" Why should people have to change who they are just to fit in. We don't all need to be the same. More often than not, you will find that most that are bullied in some way, shape and form, will end up being more thick-skinned and ready to live a prosperous life. We are who we are, and we shouldn't let other judge us.
There is a constant nag that always latches on to me. Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of nasty people about that will go out of their way to demoralise others, but there are also good teenagers that will help an elderly across the road or hold the door open for someone. It is not enough for the older generation to mother us younger people just because they like to generalise everyone into one category. Every child is different, and everyone deserves to have their freedom without being generalised as a bully or a thug. I honestly believe in helping the youth. There is a lot of gun/knife crime, but how is it helping these people if we were to just say that they are "low-lives" or "unable of achieving"?
From first hand, my grandparents are not the most considerate people who will give every child a chance in life. My grandfather in particular writes most people off in society. But that's just the way he was brought up, in his generation. I am a people's person, and I wish that everyone can help bring justice to the world by helping children to have a voice. Afterall, we are the future of the world. There does need to be a drastic change in attitude towards the youth.
I listen to some of my peers, and most of them tell riveting stories of when they were in school and all the rebellious antics they got up to. Some of these people ended up having very prosperous lives. Just because some young people mess up their lives in school, does not mean they are an invalid in society.
Leave a comment and let us know your view on the youth these days:)
About Author / Additional Info:
A Welsh student who wants to better the world.