Do Young Adults today realize the reality of life?

Do Young Adults today realize the reality of life?

 

gim•me 

Informal

Contraction of give me.

adj. Slang

Demanding material things or especially money 

Disclaimer:  The following blog does not pertain to any specific person or persons.  It is an on-going narrative of some of the complaints and concerns about young adults who refuse to grow up and take responsibility for their life and actions.

 

Turn around and look at young adults today, and ask, have we raised a nation of children who believe the world owes them and we owe them? Do we realize in "giving them everything we missed or never had" failed to provide the greater gifts parents instill on children? Do divorced parents try to make up for time that may not be spent with the child/teen/young adult; or by placating when the parent might not be able to show up for an event or trying to out-do the other parent?  Have parents taught them about appreciation, respect, true self-worth and realistic goals and expectations? Or do we have a generation of rude, demanding, spoiled and lazy young adults? Do we call them the "gimme generation?"

 

Does the possibility exist that we have not taught our children that failure is the flipside of success and that life is full of success and failure, and that failure is not because a person is a loser, but instead a lesson for success in the future? Did we raise a generation of young adults where everyone is the same, no one is lesser or great, a sort of unrealistic utopia that the "real" world will crush later in life? While a positive self-image is undoubtedly positive for all children, but a positive self-image that borders on superhero, untouchable and perfect, how indeed will these children survive in a world beyond the shelter of over indulgent parents?

 

Have we become lax as a society about teaching the excesses can and do harm people one day. As we have created an artificial environment for many young adults, young adults without boundaries indulge in excessive behavior. A favorite excuse for excessive behavior is "we will die of something one day," so I am going to enjoy life, drink, get high, and indulge in sex unprotected or promiscuous behaviors. Perhaps there is truth to the expression of "Youth is wasted on the young." (George Bernard Shaw)  What is scary is when you see young people post YOLO – (You only live once).  More and more are not scared of the outcome of their choices.

 

Are words such as accountability and responsibility missing from the lives of so many young adults? Has the “Gimme” mentality allowed for the development of irresponsibility and the consequences of such actions? Have we taught our children empty words such as "I am sorry," but no authentic remorse or attempts to fix whatever the situation, paying for damage or other actions because true responsibility and accountability is lacking?

 

Perhaps we are too quick to remove those disciplines that raise children to be well-adjusted responsible and contributing adults. Perhaps we have forgotten the point of having children, and have evolved from instilling into children good solid values into bottomless pocketbooks of empty placations. "Things" never replace quality time spent with children teaching, sharing and loving them.

 

Children hitting, screaming, insulting and demanding of parents, when did such actions become acceptable, even condoned by parents? These behaviors are not teaching children respect for themselves, their families or communities. These behaviors are also shaped by the endless giving to children. Parents lose and children take control of the family situations providing an endless drama for families. Constructive discipline isn't abusive, but instead teaches important social skills and boundaries they will take into their future lives and families.

 

“Gimme” children have an endless pit of wishes and desires. "It's only, it's just, it's all I want," illustrate how many children do not know the cost of items, the value of time and effort, as they demand, beg, expect and whine for whatever item of the moment has their attention. Opportunities to encourage children to go out and earn these items so that they will appreciate the item are lost as our parents bring out the credit card, the bank card or the cash to purchase the item.  These grow up to be over indulgent, under appreciative young adults.

 

An unfortunate result of such actions is a belief by the “gimme generation” that they are owed by parents and the world owes them. Many “gimme” children lack ambition because they believe their parents must care for them for as long as they wish. These young people will admit they have been spoiled and blame their parents for their condition. Some of these young people will even go as far to say that "they didn't ask to be born so it is the parents' responsibility to care for them forever."

 

No easily quick solution exists to change this “gimme generation”. Too many parents are caught up in a give cycle, because they have busy schedules, work long hours and do not realize what is happening with their children. Unfortunately when many parents realize what has occurred with their children, the damage will be done and opportunities to raise well-adjusted children into adulthood are gone.

 

©Betty Jean Bowers