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Don't bother worrying about kids too much; they obviously don't worry about you.

The older generation always seems to have this gripe about kids: they have no respect for elders. Of course, by "elders," the older generation means themselves. It's obvious to them we don't give them the respect they deserve. All generations have been complaining about this for decades. Their parents said this about them, then they turn around and say the same thing about us. Then we'll turn around and say the same thing about our kids. So what's the distinction? Seems like we're going through the motions again.

This was one of the big gripes parents seemed to have with our generation when they were questioned by The Reporter. I should admit that their staff probably selected these responses to make us ponder, and I'm biting the bait. I'll admit that these parents issued pull-trigger responses. They didn't have time to revise their responses. If given a chance, I think some of them would have. Other responses dealt with sex, technology, and fashion. They will get honorable mention.

"When we were younger, sex was not talked about. Now, it's commonplace."

"Speaking of those parents in the 'Word on the Street: I heard some of them had sex. Dirty." -- Matt Nicole, off the GDT mailing list.

True, us kids wave around sex like it's a flag nowadays. But ever wonder where that came from? I recall the older generations did quite some elaborate experiments in sex. Doesn't this contribute? I suppose the older generation is ashamed Britney Spears came from prior generations of sexual exploits.

"Freedom in my day, as compared to today, was much more restricted. Children today are allowed to do anything and there are more people being away from home and going to college."

I am assuming this woman considers that a good thing. I sure hope so. But the rest of these make me wonder:

"Technology makes life easier for kids of this generation. Things like remote controls add to a lack of motivation."

Watch those words -- you are saying them at a Technical Institute. Do you feel that technology has left me unmotivated? I have been sitting in front of computers since I was in diapers. I study computer engineering at RIT to gain a mastery in this technology. I have slaved away a good portion of my life in front of keyboards and circuits. This I plan to make my career. It is already my hobby. I would believe that technology has been a serious motivator for me.

Also, perhaps technology wouldn't be so bad if the people developing this stuff actually thought about this "lack of motivation" it would case. Who develops this stuff? Why, your generation!

"The way that this generation deals with anger. My generation was more able to control our anger through demonstrations and we had a focus."

Are these the same demonstrations that tore apart the University at Buffalo campus in the 60's?^* I understand what you mean by control. Your generation was capable of focusing it into a pure rage that feared nobody. We are somewhat more misdirected. The best we can do write angst poetry, or punch a hole in a wall.

"Our generation was geared more towards discipline. When someone graduated from high school and didn't have high enough scores to get into college, they were drafted. This enabled them to learn a trade. Today's generation isn't subject to that. It was a downfall when they did away with the draft."

HAAAAHAHA!!! I laugh at your draft! This reminds me of an Internet forum thread I followed once. A late teenager was sharing the history of his parents, complete with some pictures. Here is a short summary:

Here is a picture of Dad before going to college.

Here is Dad next to Mom. He met her in Canada after fleeing the draft.

Here is Mom and Dad now, pillars in the local Republican Party. You should hear him talk about kids these days, and how every man should have to serve time in the military.

Regarding discipline, why do you think it takes a drill sergeant to make a well-mannered human being? Could it be, perhaps, because these people were improperly raised to begin with? Hmmm... I guess it's the liberals' fault for making it illegal to beat the shit out of your kids.

Being able to learn a trade through the government is novel idea. I always get the impression from my father that he wanted me to go into the Army and get a free ride into adulthood. But I feel that anybody that goes into the armed forces with that attitude doesn't belong there. So here I am, in college, pursuing the private sector. Now, if we're talking "Starship Troopers" here, where government service (possibly non-military) was mandatory, perhaps we can make a deal. But do you want the government to have the power to whisk away all your bright and cheery kids somewhere right after high school? Come on, libertarians, I know at least you guys don't.

Also, I prefer a volunteer military. The people that are there want to be there. It improves the overall quality of the forces. Remember, quality, not quantity. Remember the ratio we fought against in the Korean War.

"Today's generation has an entitlement philosophy. They feel we owe them something and they don't appreciate parents."

Just like how all the Baby Boomers are standing in line to make sure Social Security will be around for just a few more years.

Oh yeah, you parents do owe us something. And yes, we often don't appreciate you. I have had the luck of my parents sticking together, but most of my friends are part of broken households. It's more than a pain in the ass for a child to alternate between his "father's place" and his "mother's place." It's terrible to see your biological parents out to ruin each other. So yeah, we ask for cash, cars, toys, and whatever; we would settle for a family instead, but it's often unavailable. Also, your kids expect you to take care of them. We're entitled to that.

"Today's generation doesn't have the benefit of focus. There are too many diversifications out there today. My generation had the Vietnam war which kept people focused."

This father was more eloquent, and I appreciate his comment. At least it wasn't pejorative like some of the other stuff I read on that page. But I feel hollow about this. The Vietnam War was all the rage for these people. However, this "War on Terrorism," for how potent it may end up being, doesn't seem to pull much emotions out of us. Something about that seems wrong. I will give credit to the older generation for being more politically involved. Or at least portraying that image. I have heard plenty of times that college students went to protest rallies because "it was a great place to hook up." Nonetheless, they managed to be more active (see comments about Buffalo).

"Too much freedom of choice. People today are allowed to do anything they please. There are rules in society and people have to be responsible. They need more guidance like we had."

Somebody needs a hug. Too much freedom of choice? Oh shit, that's horrible! It's 5AM, but I'm going to call my parents and request they make all my important decisions for me! It is a benefit to you that you had the guidance you had. Your parents had been through the Second World War, and seen a lot of stuff. Don't act like that happens everyday. But we don't have that advantage, so we'll have to pave our own way. Not many of your parents' lessons seem to be trickling down to us. I wonder if the tap went dry.

"Technology. This generation is more in tune with things going on. We didn't grow up with computers and televisions but now everything is based on technology, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing."

Didn't grow up on television? I should assume you walked to school in the snow, uphill both ways! What about the radio? I insist gadgets and gizmos have been oozing out of American culture since before the Second World War. A lot of it is crap, but the lull in tech stocks shows what happens to crap. But don't fear technology, respect it. It's like fire: you won't go anywhere if you try to avoid it, so learn to embrace it . . . properly.

So really, I think this is just the same gripes you hear everywhere all the time. I guess for that case, it wasn't even worth talking about. So why did I? Am I starved for material this week? Well, I haven't heard anybody complaining about this for awhile, I guess. This gave me a good soapbox to stand on about things like disrespect for elders, and the draft. But I fear I'm also preaching to the choir. Oh well, maybe one or two parents will catch wind of this someday. Maybe when I'm a father, this article will spill out of my little shoe box of GDT's. I hope it causes me to ponder the change in attitude.