Are teenagers stupid?

[photon]

And I wish i could find it, I also read that one of the earliest writings (Sumerian I think) was about how the next generation was going downhill... I think every generation thinks that.

[Antithesis]

Socrates has a quote like that as well, if I remember right, about how the new generation of teenagers was evil or something.

Almost all of them mean well but few have any concept of empathy (certainly not the boys) ... but even the 'tough' ones, if you sit down and talk to them, are nice kids. Their brains just haven't finished developing yet (which doesn't excuse their behavior, as I am always telling them).

[Dion]

[metallicat]

Originally Posted by Dion

That rings so true to taking the yellow bus to school. Most of my friends lived on the north side, and our high school was on the south side, so virtually everyone took the yellow bus. The poor bus driver probably lost years of her life driving us hellions around.

[speeds]

http://cbs2.com/watercooler/movie.sh....2.895284.html

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/...-Shooting.html

Glad to hear you didn't get as upset as this guy.

[LGA]

Quite a lot of teenagers are stupid, especially when they are in a group. I can safely say this since I'm only several years removed from my teenage years, I saw how stupid a lot of my peers acted just to be cool.

If my friends and I were in the same situation as you, we probably would have chased those kids for a good while to learn 'em good.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Socrates has a quote like that as well, if I remember right, about how the new generation of teenagers was evil or something.

Almost all of them mean well but few have any concept of empathy (certainly not the boys) ... but even the 'tough' ones, if you sit down and talk to them, are nice kids. Their brains just haven't finished developing yet (which doesn't excuse their behavior, as I am always telling them).

I think that our society is just plain lazy (as I am lying in bed, typing on a laptop, avoiding doing any actual work). But I think that a good one/two year stint in the army or in some other project would do a world of good for the youth of today. I would imagine that 75% of them likely haven't had a physical job in their lives and are going to make poor leaders, because they have never followed orders before. And before people go all orangutan on me, look at some of the most socially liberal and in many ways best places to live and they all have mandatory military contributions. Now I am not saying ship the youth off to war, but maybe toughen them up a little bit before they all get cushy jobs in the future.

Hell this could even make many of their lard asses get into shape and save the health care system some money.

[Antithesis]

I agree with you 100% about a year of Army service, even if it's National Guard type stuff. It would certainly instill some discipline and help teenagers resist impulses as well. One of the main things I've found in my career is that parents these days seem to be focused on keeping their kids from experiencing any struggle or discomfort without realizing that sometimes those are the times that teach us the most - they don't seem to have a lot of a concept of how the 'real world' works, which to me is scary because the ones I teach are 14 years old - pretty close to being adults.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I think that our society is just plain lazy (as I am lying in bed, typing on a laptop, avoiding doing any actual work). But I think that a good one/two year stint in the army or in some other project would do a world of good for the youth of today. I would imagine that 75% of them likely haven't had a physical job in their lives and are going to make poor leaders, because they have never followed orders before. And before people go all orangutan on me, look at some of the most socially liberal and in many ways best places to live and they all have mandatory military contributions. Now I am not saying ship the youth off to war, but maybe toughen them up a little bit before they all get cushy jobs in the future.

Hell this could even make many of their lard asses get into shape and save the health care system some money.

I agree 120%.

I think it should be a choice whether or not these kids are sent into combat....but I absolutely agree that some kind of military service would do our society a lot of good.

There are a million different kinds of skills that can be taught that have nothing to do with going to Afghanistan and killing the Taliban.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I agree with you 100% about a year of Army service, even if it's National Guard type stuff. It would certainly instill some discipline and help teenagers resist impulses as well. One of the main things I've found in my career is that parents these days seem to be focused on keeping their kids from experiencing any struggle or discomfort without realizing that sometimes those are the times that teach us the most - they don't seem to have a lot of a concept of how the 'real world' works, which to me is scary because the ones I teach are 14 years old - pretty close to being adults.

Agreed again.

At some point, parents have to let go, and it should usually be around the time when the kid understands what is right and what is wrong.

Let them find their own way then....and we they're 18 and off to college, they'll be ready.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

I agree with you 100% about a year of Army service, even if it's National Guard type stuff. It would certainly instill some discipline and help teenagers resist impulses as well. One of the main things I've found in my career is that parents these days seem to be focused on keeping their kids from experiencing any struggle or discomfort without realizing that sometimes those are the times that teach us the most - they don't seem to have a lot of a concept of how the 'real world' works, which to me is scary because the ones I teach are 14 years old - pretty close to being adults.

At 17/18 years old, the first summer out of high school - have them do a basic army course for two months. Have them get paid for the service - they get some discipline instilled in them, still make more money than they would in any other summer job at that age, they can have a greater outlook on life and have a bit better ability to make decisions when they are in post secondary or whatever it is that they are doing in the future. After that they continue with their work with the military, part time basis or full time.

This allows for the kids to get some great experience and at the same time it benefits Canada in the sense that if there is a need to respond to a civilian emergency such as flooding or forest fires, there is a population which is ready and able to do so.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Antithesis

Do people really have that many problems at movies? I've had few experiences that were bad enough to make me consider not going anymore or to characterize it as 'always' ... then again, I get to maybe 6 a year.

Same here... I hear so many bad stories here on CP, but I never seem to experience them. Either they run into the worst luck, or I'm ignorant to all these movies annoyances.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by LGA

Quite a lot of teenagers are stupid, especially when they are in a group. I can safely say this since I'm only several years removed from my teenage years, I saw how stupid a lot of my peers acted just to be cool.

If my friends and I were in the same situation as you, we probably would have chased those kids for a good while to learn 'em good.

Bingo. When alone they are insecure and often are perfect capable of being mature.

[keenan87]

I am not stupid

[GGG]

The real answer is to give them more responsiblity. People right now have delayed growing up. It used to be that you got out of high school you got married and got a job. Then it was you went to university, graduated, got married got a job. Now it is go to uni, graduate, get a job, work for a few years, buy a house, get married get a job.

So real responsiblity, paying rent or having kids has been pushed back for many years from where it was in the sixites. So why would you grow up when you don't have to. Society has decided that you don't have to become an adult until your are 25 to 30 so why should we expect a 14 year old to behave anywhere near the level of an adult.

[henriksedin33]

I tell him that I really want to beat him to death with the body of his friend to the left.

thats awesome

[Bibtin Tex]

d00ds i dont' understand

if i go to the army-place how will i wear my skinny jeans, and newly bought chicken-outfit?

can't make decisions like this without thinking of the obvious

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Mean Mr. Mustard

I think that our society is just plain lazy (as I am lying in bed, typing on a laptop, avoiding doing any actual work). But I think that a good one/two year stint in the army or in some other project would do a world of good for the youth of today. I would imagine that 75% of them likely haven't had a physical job in their lives and are going to make poor leaders, because they have never followed orders before. And before people go all orangutan on me, look at some of the most socially liberal and in many ways best places to live and they all have mandatory military contributions. Now I am not saying ship the youth off to war, but maybe toughen them up a little bit before they all get cushy jobs in the future.

Hell this could even make many of their lard asses get into shape and save the health care system some money.

Agreed, and to the 2 followers of this post. I remember back at UofA, the farmers made up a good portion of the top marks in my classes. I worked a summer on a military base (as a civilian contractor, not as a military officer) and I can honestly say stuff I learned just from working there and their attitudes changed alot of things about me.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by GGG

The real answer is to give them more responsiblity. People right now have delayed growing up. It used to be that you got out of high school you got married and got a job. Then it was you went to university, graduated, got married got a job. Now it is go to uni, graduate, get a job, work for a few years, buy a house, get married get a job.

So real responsiblity, paying rent or having kids has been pushed back for many years from where it was in the sixites. So why would you grow up when you don't have to. Society has decided that you don't have to become an adult until your are 25 to 30 so why should we expect a 14 year old to behave anywhere near the level of an adult.

I don't think its the government's place to force parents to make their kids get jobs....but I found that those kids in high school that had after school jobs, and paid for their own car, own food, own admission to the movies, own dates, own everything except board, and the food they got at home, along with a few more essential things.......were a lot more respectful and grownup.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Bibtin Tex

d00ds i dont' understand

if i go to the army-place how will i wear my skinny jeans, and newly bought chicken-outfit?

can't make decisions like this without thinking of the obvious

Life isn't about what you 'wear'....or what 'image' you portray.