Blogs » Pop Goes the Culture » These kids today, I'll tell you...

Subscribe


 
These kids today, I'll tell you...
By AprillBrandon in Pop Goes the Culture
October 6, 2008

I may only be a 20-something but already I can feel myself getting the urge to compare my generation to that of today's teeny-boppers. For instance, I'll be out shopping when I run into a group of teenagers texting on their cells and all dressed up in their Gossip Girl fashions.

And I'm ashamed to admit that my first thought is "What's wrong with these kids today? Why, back in my day, we dressed respectable with our wide-leg jeans and flannel and didn't do any of that texting crap. We used instant messenger like ladies should."

Whoever said hindsight was 20/20 never walked 30 miles to school uphill in the snow with only their Nirvana t-shirt to keep them warm.

But it's only natural that as we get older, it gets harder and harder to understand the generations after us. And that's why you have things like the eighth annual What Teens Want conference in L.A. to let us know.

The conference was this weekend and according to the panel of speakers at the event, young'uns today are (to sum it up) optimistic stressed out spoiled kids who grew up during a time where everyone left the sporting tournament with a trophy (so, you know, no one got their feelings hurt).

The Web site www.ypulse.com also has a nice little summary of the event, including:

~ This generation is splitting big time in regards to moral behavior. On one hand you have the kids making pregnancy pacts and attending rainbow parties (which if you don't know what that is, trust me, I will not be the one to take that bullet and tell you), but at the same time, you also have a rise in purity rings, anti-cursing clubs and virginity pacts.

~ Teens are overstressed (BIG surprise). Mainly due to being over-scheduled and over-medicated (come on, nervous Boomer parents, lighten up). Teens also worry a lot considering they grew up in an era in which they have to have their sneakers checked for bombs at the airport.

~ After years of being rewarded just for being alive, teens today have become spoiled, expecting free stuff all the time and to continue to be rewarded just for breathing. (I would also like to throw in my two cents here and attribute it to the rise in reality TV in which idiots are rewarded with 15 minutes of fame for continuing to be idiots).

~ Teens really truly believe they are going to become famous, thanks to (again) reality TV and You Tube stars. Why work hard at school or work when you can be the next Tila Tequila (*shudder*).

~ And in perhaps a most interesting twist, teens today want to make a difference and change the world, while at the same time, they love to indulge in escapism to escape the world they are trying to change. Think of the popularity of Harry Potter, the Twilight Series and the Inheritance Cycle.