Young People are "The Entitlement Generation"...

I agree. It often disgusts me, actually.
I encounter so many people that have had all their opportunities handed to them on a silver platter. I have taken on several internships to work my way up the latter and I have encountered more than a few people who's parents' connections/money got them a position, but instead of being grateful, they didn't want to do the work. Sure, sorting mail isn't the most amazing job, but you do it and you do it well so more responsibility will be assigned.

As for a lack of loyalty, I agree with that too. My generation grew up with so many options that we have established very few loyalties and have learned to take the best available---regardless of who/what might be affected.

It's still a touchy subject for me because I have spent years taking care of myself the best I can and working hard to earn my jobs, etc. I am tired of those that don't realize what they have been given and keep on trying to get more without doing the work.

::end rant::

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Thanks, nm.

I try to be optimistic and hope that my generation will rise to the challenges of the coming years...and I see in some of my friends that potential. But, it angers me to see those that will counteract all the changes I want to make in society.

I often tear up when I see the veterans visiting the WWII memorial because I so greatly admire the dedication and loyalty of that generation. I hope that they are not the last of their kind.

Boy, I have got quite a comfy soapbox today!

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I know! I still regret having not asked more of my relatives about their experiences before they passed away.

It's so incredible to me to imagine an entire nation working together in a common effort. These young men went out there and fought for their country without any inhibitions, witnessed so many horrible things, and then come back and continue to lead their lives. I have nothing but respect! I so desperately want to just run and hug them all.

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My father's uncle was a part of D-Day. He could not talk about it. Sometimes he would just start crying and we always knew why. When I think of someone like that, the hubris of some younger people angers me.

Where's my prize? I deserve a Fu(king PRIZE!

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Updated On: 6/27/05 at 10:45 AM

Okay, discredit this "young person's" opinion and whine about how another adult board would spare you from reading this, but I am really sick of being in the Ent. Gen. I want to switch generations. Working this summer on a college campus in a bakery/coffeeshop allows me to see it in full swing. As a counter gal who's working her way through college, I get to be treated like the "hired help," even though I will go on to sit in the same classes as the people I wait on in two months. This is a constant source of frustration at my job. "The smoothee machine is out of the flavor it had yesterday, can I get the other flavor for free?" "My mom got me the wrong flavor shot in my cappuccino, can I get a different one? (nevermind the LINE this individual cut in front of)" Then there's just what I overhear people say. "I just registered and I only got TWO of the classes I wanted this semester. I'm thinking about switching schools." (I'm not making this up!)

Of course, what gets fun is that older adults see me, see that I'm 20, and assume that I want a part-time job with full-time benefits, or some such schmaltz. I'm not looking forward to graduation, when employers will see me as nothing but a snotty 22-year-old with a diploma who thinks the world should be handed to them. Given the attitudes that society holds of college grads, I fear I'll never get a job when I'm done.

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I don't know... if I were a 48-year-old employer and saw a 20-year-old in front of me, saw how *some* 20-year-olds treated the average counter gal, I don't know if I'd hire me either. I'm not denying that these assumptions are rooted in truth. It just frightens me sometimes.

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Those of us with current teenagers should take action before it's too late. It's a challenge.

My son is 14, and many, many of his peers were raised to be the center of their universe. Manners? Forget it; unnecessary. The darlings were "exploring" the world, and didn't need to have restrictions. Yet once the kids reached age 12, and were rude and obnoxious, these same parents previously obsessed with their kids' "individuality" and "expression" were exasperated to have little gimme monsters on their hands.

What bothers me even more than the lack of etiquette is the genuine lack of curiosity about things outside their own sphere. To be fair, children now 13-20 have been so bombarded with information, have grown up with everything available all the time, they haven't bothered to acquire much. Little actually "sticks." There is no reason to learn facts when a keyboard connects you to them. Curiosity exists when much is unknown, unavailable. I don't see a lot of curiosity anywhere.

It has created a VERY LOW boredom threshold, which I believe is the biggest danger. As Carrie Fisher famously said, of an addict, "instant gratification isn't instant enough..." and I see considerable evidence that many of the new teens suffer from that syndrome. No one aspires to, or dreams of a wish list. Want a computer, cell phone, ipod? Got it. Next! Every person, place and thing is instantly connected, and there's pandemic impatience with simply having to WAIT to acquire something. The old fashioned Christmas morning styled exhiliaration seems to be fading. My son, just 14 has to wait another year for a cell phone and he's in a rare minority(and frankly feels persecuted by me).

I'm not a Luddite, but I'm afraid that our technology has only created a world where the natural highs and lows of human experience are too often flattened. It's one big middle ground of consumerism, and we don't want to dare to teach our kids how to simply sit still.

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Updated On: 6/27/05 at 11:35 AM

I'm with Namo! That was very well-written, Auggie.

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But, we (royal) are the ones buying it for them.

I think papa needs a spanking.

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just try it, mr. matt. i'll haave you in family court so fast it'll make your head swim and don't think i won't use the "m" word with wild abandon. oh, you'll be lucky if they don't make you wear a red dress and silly hat and try to kiss your ring...huh, got lost a bit there.

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Updated On: 6/27/05 at 01:39 PM